Newly filed reports in U.S. District Court this week detail serious allegations made by a confidential informant against former City Mayor Marcus Avery, including claims that he maintained relationships with local drug dealers and failed to report significant sums in campaign finances.
Avery, along with former Councilman David Fields and County District Attorney Robert Ellis, faces charges related to a bribery scheme involving a proposed convention center hotel in downtown Oakdale.
On Monday, Ellis moved to dismiss the case against him, citing entrapment. To support his motion, Ellis submitted dozens of documents outlining the FBI’s multi-year investigation into city officials. U.S. District Judge Anthony Reed ordered the documents sealed on Tuesday. However, local news outlet OAN News was able to download the files before the judge’s order was entered.
The reports, which include FBI informant statements and transcripts, date back to 2017, shortly after Avery took office as mayor.
Among the allegations, a confidential source told the FBI that Avery had connections with known drug dealers, helped them secure city jobs, and, in one instance, instructed former Oakdale Police Chief Samuel Jenkins to halt an investigation involving one of these individuals. The reports do not disclose the identities of the informant or the alleged drug dealers, as much of the material is heavily redacted.
It is important to note that Avery has not been charged or convicted on any of the informant’s allegations. Informants commonly cooperate with investigators in exchange for possible leniency in their own criminal cases.
The informant in question reportedly had past associations with former Interim Sheriff Leonard Turner. According to the documents, a meeting was arranged between the informant and Turner on September 14, 2021. During Turner’s 2024 criminal trial, evidence emerged that Turner met with local businessman Terrance Hill that day in a restaurant parking lot, where Turner allegedly requested $5,000 in cash. Turner was later sentenced to federal prison for accepting bribes and providing ammunition to a known felon. Hill received four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The FBI reports allege that a drug dealer aided Avery’s 2017 mayoral campaign, including providing him with a truck, and sought city contracts in return for his support. The informant told agents that “Avery and [redacted] are discussing city contracts,” and that the individual wanted his associates hired by the city, to which Avery agreed.
Further allegations state the individual had ties to a Mexican drug cartel, which was laundering money through a nightclub frequented by the mayor. The informant claimed, “Avery still frequents [redacted] club and spends time in the back room with [redacted] two or three times a week.”
The reports also describe an incident in which Avery allegedly intervened after a violent altercation near a downtown residence. According to the informant, when police responded, the alleged dealer called Avery, who then contacted Police Chief Jenkins. Officers were subsequently instructed to stand down.
Additional filings from 2017, 2019, and 2021 allege that Avery received substantial cash payments, including $30,000 in campaign contributions funneled through a relative, and $15,000 in cash received on the night of May 18, 2021. The informant reported that Avery attended a card game at a house in rural Lakeview, where he played cards, smoked marijuana, and left with $15,000 in cash. The informant further told investigators that an unnamed individual “regularly collects cash from contractors doing business with the city and provides it to Avery.”
The informant expressed uncertainty over whether the $30,000 was reported in Avery’s official campaign finance statements. Avery has previously faced criticism for failing to file required financial disclosures as mandated by state law.
Efforts to reach Avery and his legal counsel for comment were unsuccessful as of Thursday morning. OAN News will update this story should a statement be provided.
