News from April 2023
Springfield Man Involved in Drive-By Shootings Sentenced for Illegal Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing firearms following his involvement in two drive-by shootings.
House Judiciary Committee subpoenas FBI Director Christopher Wray over Catholic churches field report
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to FBI Director Christopher Wray for records as part of a probe into the bureau's handling of an FBI field analysis that proposed further developing sources within a group of traditionalist Catholic chapels in Richmond, Va., to look for signs of radicalization and burgeoning domestic violent extremism.
USDOJ-OJP-OVC offers new grant application process starting April 13
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
OVC FY 2023 Supporting Children, Youth, and Families Affected by the Drug Crisis: Recruiting and Developing Peer Recovery Coaches grant opened on April 13.
ATF Posts Results of Federal Firearm Licensee Compliance Inspections Involving Violations of the Department of Justice’s Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - Today, for the first time ever, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began publicly posting information, available on the ATF website, regarding the results of certain compliance inspections of federal firearms licensees (FFL) completed between July 2021 and December 2022.
U.S. Marshals Find Missing 14-Year-Old in Columbus, OH
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: Columbus, OH - The U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit in Cleveland, OH has been assisting Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services (CCJFS) in the location and recovery of Trinee Washington (14). Washington was in the custody and care of CCJFS and was reported missing on July 9, 2022. Her whereabouts and safety were unknown until earlier this morning.
Jefferson County Felon Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Multiple Firearms Charges
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: Jackson, Miss - A Jefferson County felon was sentenced to 295 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Honduran National Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of Firearms by an Alien Illegally and Unlawfully in the United States
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Elmer Enrique Amaya Gonzales, age 20, of Honduras, to 41 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession of firearms by an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States. Upon his release from prison, Gonzales will be removed from the United States and returned to his home country of Honduras.
DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division and the Office of the Attorney General Host First Family Summit in Montana
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: HELENA - Today the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Montana, hosted a Family Summit in support of those who have lost loved ones to the drug poisoning and overdose epidemic.
Mandeville Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAURICE BUTLER, age 35, of Mandeville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 4, 2023 to a single 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) announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
House Judiciary Committee to hold NYC hearing with ‘victims’ of DA Alvin Bragg’s policies
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: The House Judiciary Committee will hear from “victims" of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s policies during a hearing in New York next month - escalating a confrontation with the progressive prosecutor over his unprecedented criminal case against former President Donald Trump, The Post has learned.
ATF Signs 30x30 Pledge to Advance Women in Law Enforcement
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - Throughout Women’s History Month, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has celebrated the many contributions and achievements women have made to advance the agency’s mission. As we conclude the month, ATF is proud to reaffirm its commitment to participate in the 30x30 Initiative, a nationwide effort to advance women throughout local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement.
Retired ATF Special Agent Beeping Egg Mission Continues
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - For 16 years, ATF Special Agent David Hyche has been on a mission to ensure his daughter, Rachel, and other people with special needs can gain independence and increase participation in activities most of us take for granted. Specifically, an Easter egg hunt. Now retired from ATF and serving as the Chief of the Calera Police Department in Alabama, Hyche continues to pursue that mission.
Jury Convicts Ionia Man of Meth Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Ionia, Mo., man was convicted at trial today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Pettis County, Mo.
West Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession Offenses
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAYVIAN RODRIGUEZ, 25, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 126 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.
Hamilton Felon Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms, Including “Ghost Gun”
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
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.
Odessa Woman Sentenced for False Statements During Firearm Purchases
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: MIDLAND, Texas - An Odessa woman was sentenced in a federal court in Midland Wednesday to 18 months in prison for providing false statements during purchases of firearms.
Great Falls Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: GREAT FALLS - A Great Falls man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms while on supervision for prior felony convictions was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Justice Department Announces Major Milestones Achieved in Policing Reform Efforts for the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Police Department
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: The Justice Department announced today that it has joined with the City of Albuquerque in filing a motion seeking changes to the requirements of the consent decree regarding the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) after achieving compliance with a vast majority of the consent decree.
Brooksville Man Found Guilty of Possessing Firearm as an Armed Career Criminal
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: Ocala, Florida - Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has found Wayne Allen Phillips, Jr. (45, Brooksville) guilty of one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon. Phillips qualifies for an increased penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 20, 2023. Phillips had been indicted on March 29, 2022.
Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years for Trafficking Nearly 150 Pounds of Drugs, Including Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 13, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - Linwood Douglas Thorne, 51, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that resulted in one of the largest seizures of heroin in the District of Columbia’s history. The sentence, handed down March 31, 2023, by U.S. District ...