Des Moines police ask for public's help in finding 2 wanted as part of federal gang, drug sweep

Des Moines police and the FBI want any information the public may have about two fugitives charged in last week's drug and gang sweep by federal law enforcement.

Des Moines residents Barry Adair Jr., 29, and Johnnathan Frecher, 26, are both wanted on federal robbery and firearms charges, according to the police department. Both men are associated with the C-Block street gang and were indicted, along with 13 others, after a lengthy investigation. 

The crimes carry penalties between 10 years to life in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

During a news conference Thursday, U.S. Attorney Marc Krickbaum said the charges served as a warning for violent gang members and drug dealers in Des Moines.

"We will find you. We will investigate you," Krickbaum said, addressing cameras, as he stood beside more than a dozen law enforcement officials who assisted in the investigation. "And we will charge you with any crime we can prove either in federal court or in state court."

The FBI's Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which includes numerous local agencies, has been investigating C-Block since May 2016, an agent said. Officers seized 13 guns, 2 pounds of powdered cocaine, more than 2 pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and $24,000 in cash while serving warrants last week.

To penetrate the gang, a group affiliated with the national Crips, investigators used surveillance, phone taps and informants.

In December, the FBI heard Frencher, and his brother, Freddie, planned an armed robbery of a Des Moines drug dealer. Local police were notified, and the Frenchers were intercepted before the home invasion.

Freddie and Johnnathan Frencher were charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence stemming from the home invasion they planned, authorities said.

Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert said the 13 previous arrests would restore the feeling of safety in Des Moines and decrease its crime rates, proclaiming: "This will have a lasting impact." He acknowledged others needed to be arrested, saying the effort was not over.

"If you’re going to be involved in this type of criminal behavior and violent crime in our communities," Wingert said, "you need to be looking over your shoulder."

Des Moines police have attributed violent stretches in the city in part to gang activity for decades. In 2017, when Des Moines recorded more homicides than it had in a single year since 1978, police said shootings spiked because of conflicts between loose-knit street gangs, such as C-Block and Heavy Hittas. 

Adair, whom authorities say is one of three leaders of C-Block, has been charged with various crimes in Polk County, pleading to misdemeanor domestic abuse and interference with official acts. He has no history with state prisons, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Johnnathan Frencher has been criminally charged in Polk County several times since 2011, according to Iowa Courts Online, and has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge and assault. He was released from prison in June 2017, according to the Iowa DOC. 

Anyone with information about Frencher and Adair's whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 or the FBI's Omaha office at 402-493-8688.

Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at 515-284-8378, tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.