News from April 2023


Former Champaign, Illinois, Pastor Sentenced to 10 Months of Imprisonment for Misapplying Federal Funds and Bankruptcy Fraud

A Champaign, Illinois, man, Lekevie C. Johnson, formerly of the 2000 block of Clayton Boulevard, was sentenced on April 10, 2023, to 10 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $59,358.90 restitution following his December 2022 guilty pleas to financial crimes including federal program misapplication, student loan misapplication, and false statement in bankruptcy.


Bronx, New York, Man Sentenced to 43 Years in Prison for Multistate Kidnapping, Assault, and Arson Rampage

News Release: NEWARK, N.J. - A Bronx, New York, man was sentenced today to 516 months in prison for a multistate crime spree during which he kidnapped and sexually assaulted his former girlfriend, assaulted a federal employee, set fire to a used car dealership, and rammed multiple police vehicles before being apprehended, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.


Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Four Home Invasions Targeting Drug Dealers

News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Robert Forbes, Jr. a/k/a Ra Ra a/k/a Henny, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and two counts of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.


Cherry Hill Gang Member Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Murdering a Rival Gang Member

News Release: Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Deaven Cherry, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.


Member and Associate of Newark Street Gang Charged With Unlawful Possession of Machinegun Used in Shooting of Three People

News Release: NEWARK, N.J. - A member of a Newark street gang made his initial court appearance today on firearms charges related to the shooting of multiple victims, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.


International Firearms Dealer Involved in $2 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison

News Release: Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Daniel Ira Johnson (35, Orlando), a/k/a “Shotta" a/k/a “Lajon Black," to seven years and six months in federal prison for shipping firearms to the United Kingdom and committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 unemployment insurance relief. Johnson had pleaded on Dec. 27, 2022.


Johnson C. Smith University Wins 2022 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

News Release: Johnson C. Smith University Wins 2022 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.


South Carolina Man Arrested for Stealing and Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

News Release: Ocala, Florida -United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Alexander Timothy Rosa (31, South Carolina) on a three-count indictment charging him with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and stealing a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. If convicted, Rosa faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.


Convicted Felon Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms Used in Two Shootings

News Release: DETROIT - A Detroit man was sentenced yesterday to 8 years in prison for charges relating to his possession of firearms involved in two shootings in 2021, including one where he indiscriminately fired over thirty rounds at the home occupied by his domestic partner, other adults, and two children, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.


Fort Myers Felon Sentenced After Brandishing a Firearm on Social Media

News Release: Fort Myers, Florida - U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Terry Kristopher Flournoy (23, Fort Myers) to two years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Flournoy to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he illegally possessed. Flournoy had pleaded guilty on Dec. 21, 2022.


Two Butte Men Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking, Firearms and Money Laundering Crimes

News Release: MISSOULA - Two Butte men convicted in a large armed drug trafficking operation that brought pounds of methamphetamine and other drugs to the Butte community and laundered proceeds were sentenced today to prison terms, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Hamilton Felon Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms, Including “Ghost Gun”

News Release: MISSOULA - A Hamilton man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, including a “ghost gun," after having been convicted of felonies, was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Theft of Firearms From Police Weapons Vault and Tampering With Multiple Witnesses

News Release: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Former police officer William Cintrón-Rivera, a.k.a. “El Kid/Kid" pleaded guilty to the theft of 54 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, Guayama headquarters on July 17, 2019. On Jan. 20, 2021, a federal grand jury charged the defendant with multiple counts of firearms violations and tampering with witnesses.


North Dakota Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Armed Carjacking of a Delivery Truck

News Release: MINNEAPOLIS - A Devils Lake, North Dakota man has been sentenced to 136 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking a man at gunpoint in Blaine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.


Billings Felon Admits to Firearms Crimes After Illegally Possessing Stolen Gun

News Release: BILLINGS - A Billings man who was on state supervision for felony convictions admitted today to firearms crimes after law enforcement found him in possession of a stolen gun, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Madison Man Sentenced to 42 Months for Trafficking Heroin & Cocaine

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jeff C. Starks, 28, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 42 months in federal prison for distributing heroin and cocaine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Starks pleaded guilty to this charge on Jan. 12, 2023.


Prison Escapee Sentenced to 10 Years for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Charge Resulting From Shooting of Farmington Police Officer

News Release: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today that Elias Buck was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. Buck, 24, of Aztec, New Mexico, pleaded guilty on Dec. 8, 2022, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.


Wyoming Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Unregistered Sawed-Off Shotgun

News Release: BILLINGS - A Wyoming man who admitted to possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun after an attempted traffic stop and chase on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to two and one-half years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Gary Man Sentenced to 2 Consecutive Terms of Life in Prison

News Release: HAMMOND- Hailey Gist-Holden, age 28, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philp P. Simon after a jury found him guilty of armed bank robbery, and using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during that bank robbery. The jury specifically found that, as part ...


Black Hawk Man Sentenced on Drug and Firearm Charges

News Release: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Black Hawk, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on April 7, 2023.