‘Catch me if you kan!’: FBI search continues for Middletown man who may have taken alias in California

Marqui Conley, 26, of Middletown, remains on the loose, charged in connection with a regional drug investigation.

Marqui Conley, 26, of Middletown, remains on the loose, charged in connection with a regional drug investigation.

A Middletown man, wanted by local and federal authorities, may be hiding in Los Angeles and using an alias, according to the Cincinnati FBI.

Marqui Conley, 26, is wanted for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Local and federal law enforcement agencies have been looking for Conley for several months. He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to the FBI.

This summer Middletown Division of Police Maj. Scott Reeve said he was forwarded a Snapchat message apparently written by Conley. In part it read, “Now time to log off snap and get low!! Catch me if you kan!!!!!!”

MORE: ‘Drug ring’ investigation: How police found a fugitive’s Mercedes that led them to Springboro

He is allegedly part of a violent criminal organization based in Middletown believed to be involved in multiple homicides. Federal and local law enforcement agencies executed a series of search warrants this summer in Middletown, Miamisburg and Dayton.

In May, authorities searched a Springboro garage for a 2016 Mercedes Benz during an unsuccessful search for Conley, an alleged member of a Middletown-based “drug ring.”

The car was one of 20 sought in the investigation of the ring, which officials have said is tied to three shooting deaths. Inside the car, detectives found a “baggie of white powder” and miscellaneous documents, according to a search warrant.

MORE: Lawyers: Charges in Middletown ‘drug ring’ investigation are ‘baseless and unsubstantiated’

The affidavit also alleged the investigation, which involves Middletown police, the Warren and Butler counties drug task forces, the FBI and ATF, began on Dec. 12, 2018.

Conley and Benwan Edwards, 25, of Middletown, are charged in the case in federal court. Edwards was arrested in May.

The attorneys representing Edwards said he “categorically denies” all charges alleged in the federal indictment.

The allegations against Edwards are “baseless and unsubstantiated,” and did not result in any criminal charges against Edwards, the email from his attorneys read.

“Mr. Edwards looks forward to his day in court,” the email from attorneys Richard L. Crosby III and Christopher R. McDowell read.

MORE: Court docs: Middletown ‘drug ring’ suspects also ran murder-for-hire plot

In 2011, Conley, then 18, was sentenced to five years in prison for killing a man he intentionally ran down with a car. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 20-year-old TaShawn Smiley as part of a plea deal before a Butler County grand jury could consider a murder charge against him.

He is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and 175 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Conley is asked to call 1-800-CALLFBI.

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