News from April 2023
Coordinated Operation Results in Ten Arrests on Indian Reservations throughout Montana
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Ten people were arrested on allegations of trafficking methamphetamine on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations and in Yellowstone, Big Horn and Rosebud counties earlier this month.
International Firearms Dealer Involved in $2 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
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.
Billings Felon Admits to Firearms Crimes After Illegally Possessing Stolen Gun
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
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.
Four Defendants Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl, Methamphetamine and Cocaine Receive Sentences Totaling Over 43 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants received lengthy sentences today for their participation in the trafficking of narcotics in the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced two of the defendants in Lake Charles as follows:
New Orleans Man Sentenced on Federal Carjacking and Weapons Charges
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant KEON ESTEEN, age 18, was sentenced on April 13, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Barry W. Ashe to a total term of 130 months
Sacramento Man Charged With Methamphetamine Distribution Crimes and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment Thursday against Efrain Valentin, 54, of Sacramento, charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Jefferson Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Offenses
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
LANCE STEVENS, age 27, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 20, 2023 before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to a six-count indictment charging him with violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Activity in the United States Attorney’s Office
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
James Paul Stokes, age 49, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 18, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Natchitoches Man Convicted by Federal Jury of Drug and Firearms Charges
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Louis Vernon Jackson, 38, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the four-day trial in Alexandria.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Gun Charges
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christian G. Cruz, 25, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Two Conspirators Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Exporting Firearms, Ammunition, and Military-Type Items to Nigeria To Assist Separatists Fighting Against the Government of Cameroon
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Tse Ernst Bangarie, age 47, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and co-defendant Edith Ngang, age 57, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, each to 46 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy, and for illegally exporting firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria without obtaining the required licenses from the U.S. State Department.
Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Firearm at a Casino When He Shot a Security Guard
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
A Henderson resident was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2021, during which he shot a security guard.
Four Men Charged in Conspiracy To Steal and Illegally Traffic Over Two Hundred Firearms From an Indianapolis Shipping Company
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Indianapolis- Bruce A. Williams II, 31, Zackary Dean Doss, 26, and Kevin Todd Jones, Jr. 21, have been charged in a federal indictment with Conspiracy to Receive, Possess, Store, or Sell Stolen Firearms.
Federal Jury Convicts Two Men for Conspiring To Transfer Unregistered Machinegun Conversion Devices Disguised as “Pen Holders”
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury today found Kristopher Justinboyer Ervin (43, Orange Park) and Matthew Raymond Hoover (39, Wisconsin) guilty of conspiring to transfer unregistered machinegun conversion devices that they referred to as “Auto Key Cards.
Ten Charged With Conspiring To Make Straw Purchases of Firearms Allegedly Bought With Stolen Credit Card Information
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Federal agents arrested nine individuals for crimes relating to a conspiracy to buy firearms online and have them shipped to Cincinnati-area federal firearms licensees (FFLs).
Indianapolis Career Criminal Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking After Threatening Woman With a Firearm
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Corey Bussell, 42 of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for “Straw Purchases” of Nineteen Firearms and Illegal Gun Trafficking Using Instagram
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
DeAngelo Carnell, 24, of Indianapolis, Indiana was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to six counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and one count of dealing in firearms without a federal license.
Prohibited Person Sentenced to Seven Years for Possessing a Gun and Ammunition
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Decondi Mayo, 46, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Narcotics Charges
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
HERBERT JAMES, age 27, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 19, 2023 to a two-count indictment charging him with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Baltimore Felon Sentenced to Almost Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 29, 2023
Two Other Defendants Plead Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone