ATF & Abilene Police Seize Meth And Firearms In Crackdown

Fourteen people were arrested during an approximately eight-week ATF-led violent crime operation in Abilene, according to the Abilene Police Department.

As someone who calls this community home, I appreciate seeing our local, state, and federal agencies working together to protect the place where we live and raise our families.

Multiple Agencies Work Together in Abilene

APD announced October 21 that the operation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Abilene Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and U.S. Marshals Service.

Officers and agents executed six search warrants. Authorities reported seizing four firearms, approximately one pound of suspected crystal methamphetamine, and numerous rounds of assorted ammunition. The 14 people arrested face federal and state charges.

Nine Defendants Listed on Federal Court Calendar

The federal court calendar lists these nine defendants for initial appearances on October 22. The following summarizes the allegations listed there:

Coby Dale Foust: Methamphetamine distribution conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute.👇

Photo by: Taylor County Sheriff's Office / Caitlin Culpepper

Jesseca Denah Foust: Methamphetamine distribution conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute.👇

Christal Louise Rule: Methamphetamine distribution conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute.👇

Dylan Tyler Todd: Firearm-transfer conspiracy and attempt involving felony and drug-trafficking crimes; firearm possession by a convicted felon; attempted transfer to a prohibited person.👇

Aiden Ochoa: Illegal possession of a machine gun👇

Josiah Haynesworth: Selling or transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.👇

Justine Aten Harris: Firearm possession by a convicted felon.👇

Brandi Michelle Whitaker: Firearm-transfer conspiracy and attempt involving felony and drug-trafficking crimes; attempted transfer to a prohibited person.👇

Randall Kent Whitaker: Firearm-transfer conspiracy and attempt involving felony and drug-trafficking crimes; attempted transfer to a prohibited person.👇

This is a partial list, rather than a complete accounting of the 14 arrests APD announced.

A Personal Thank-You

My thanks go to every agency involved for working toward a safer Abilene. A special thank-you also goes to my friends Carla and Caitlin at the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and Sergeant Marc Couch with the Texas Department of Public Safety. I appreciate your service to our Big Country community.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Abilene Police Department Trunk or Treat

Photos from the Abilene Police Department's trunk retreat event 2025

Gallery Credit: Rudy Fearless Fernandez

KEAN Cruise Night: Classic Cars & Memories Through the Years

Take a trip down memory lane with the KEAN Cruise Night. From classic cars and muscle cars to sock hops and family fun, enjoy decades of unforgettable Abilene memories.

Gallery Credit: Rudy Fearless Fernandez

ELVIS IN ABILENE PHOTOS

These are a few photos from my friend Jay Moore, a well-known historian for Abilene, Texas, and the whole country, for that matter. Yes, Elvis did come to Abilene, and here's the proof.

Gallery Credit: Rudy Fernandez