News from May 2023


Tehama County Man Indicted for Dealing in Firearms and Related Offenses

News Release: SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a 39-count indictment Thursday against James Lane Winslett, 65, of Corning, charging him unlawful manufacturing and dealing in firearms, engaging in the business as a dealer in firearms without registering or paying tax, unlawful sales of firearms to prohibited persons, and multiple counts of possessing unregistered firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed today.


Wanted Fugitive Arrested After Multi-Agency Manhunt

News Release: Wanted Fugitive Arrested After Multi-Agency Manhunt.


Court Sentences Two Oath Keepers Leaders on Seditious Conspiracy and Other Charges Related to U.S. Capitol Breach

News Release: Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, 58, of Granbury, Texas, the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, and Kelly Meggs, 54, of Dunnellon, Florida, the leader of the Florida chapter of the organization, were sentenced today for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on ...


Federal Grand Jury Indicts New Orleans Man for Kidnapping and Federal Gun Offense

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 5, 2023 MERVIN AMACKER, Jr., age 41, was charged in a two-count indictment for kidnapping and being a felon in possession of a firearm.


Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree That Ended in High-Speed Chase in Which He Opened Fire on Law Enforcement

News Release: RIVERSIDE, California - An Arizona man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for committing armed robberies of nine stores in Southern California and Arizona during a crime spree last summer that ended in a high-speed chase in which he fired upon federal agents and, after police rammed his car, he accidentally shot himself under his chin.


Three Members of ‘Straw-Purchasing’ Conspiracy Sentenced in Federal Court After Duo Illegally Purchased 17 Firearms on Behalf of Violent Felon

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS- Alexandria Flick, 23, of Bloomington, Indiana, has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to 3 years of federal supervised probation after pleading guilty to making false statements in connection with the purchase of sixteen firearms. Flick is the third and final defendant to be sentenced in connection with this straw-purchasing conspiracy.


Fort Myers Felon Convicted for Unlawfully Possessing Loaded Rifle

News Release: Fort Myers, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Javonte Keyon Whitfield (25, Fort Myers) guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Whitfield faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Whitfield had been indicted on February 9, 2022.


Jacksonville Felon Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms

News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Cory Lee Kelly (35, Jacksonville) to four years and nine months in federal prison for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Kelly had pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023. As part of his plea, he agreed to forfeit a machinegun, semi-automatic AR-style pistol, and assorted ammunition.


USDOJ-OJP-OJJDP grant application closes on July 11

OJJDP FY 2023 Center for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) in Juvenile Justice grant opened on May 26.


Justice Department discusses Bulk Manufacturer of Controlled Substances Application: Benuvia Operations LLC on May 25

The US Justice Department published a two page notice on May 25, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


North Dakota Man Sentenced to Prison for Armed Fentanyl Trafficking in Great Falls Area

News Release: GREAT FALLS - A North Dakota man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl in the Great Falls community after law enforcement found hundreds of fentanyl pills and a loaded firearm in a vehicle he was driving, was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


North Carolina Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

News Release: A North Carolina man was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for tax evasion.


Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison on Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

News Release: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Carlos Kentral Kerney, 43, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to a total of 30 years in federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.


New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Weapons Violations

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 17, 2023, KENDALL THEARD, age 26, resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to one count of a four-count indictment for drug violations. Count 1 charges THEARD with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. THEARD’s sentencing is set for September 6, 2023.


Four KC Metro Men Indicted for Illegally Trafficking Machineguns, Other Firearms

News Release: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three Kansas City, Mo., men and an Independence, Mo., man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally selling machine guns and other firearms, some of which have been linked to prior shootings.


New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Gun Control Act

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SHAMAR HOLMES, age 23, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on May 11, 2023 before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a one-count indictment alleging that he illegally possessed a firearm having previously been convicted of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.



Beech Grove Felon Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm After Fleeing Police

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS- John E. Lamond II, 38, of Beech Grove, Indiana, has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm.


Justice Department discusses United States v. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., et al.; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement on May 25

The US Justice Department published a three page notice on May 25, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


FBI Florida Special Agents in Charge: Support of Law Enforcement Should Last All Year

News Release: FBI Florida Special Agents in Charge: Support of Law Enforcement Should Last All Year.