News from May 2023


Fargo, ND, Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Pointing a Loaded Handgun at Fargo Police Officers

News Release: Fargo - United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Shawn Larkin, Age 40 of Fargo, ND, appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, U.S. District Court, Fargo, ND, and was sentenced to 57 months years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for the charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.


Man Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Loaded Gun in Rockford

News Release: ROCKFORD - A federal judge has sentenced a man to nearly five years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded firearm in Rockford.


Normal, Illinois, Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Purchasing Firearm Used to Shoot and Kill Champaign Police Officer

News Release: PEORIA, Ill. - A Normal, Illinois, woman, Regina Lewis, 28, of the 1200 block of Major Street, pleaded guilty on May 16, 2023, to conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. Sentencing for Lewis has been scheduled on Oct. 2, 2023, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana, Illinois.


Illegal Agents of the PRC Government Charged for PRC-Directed Bribery Scheme

News Release: A federal court in the Southern District of New York today unsealed a complaint charging two individuals with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as unregistered agents of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.


New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Gun and Drug Offenses

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NATHANIEL WILLIAMS, age 27, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on May 12, 2023 in a three-count indictment for violating the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.


Senator Collins Stresses Need to Arm Taiwan for Self-Defense, Replenish U.S. Military Stockpiles to Deter China

At a full Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request related to U.S.-China policy, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Committee, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on U.S. military stockpiles affected by obligations of legislation to provide Taiwan with means to defend itself.


Senator Collins’ Statement on Nomination of CQ Brown to Serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released this statement following the announcement that United States Air Force General Charles Q. "CQ" Brown has been nominated by President Biden as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:


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.


Marrero Man Pleads Guilty to a Violation of the Federal Gun Control Act

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On May 11, 2023, MELVIN WALKER, age 34, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana, pled guilty to a one-count indictment, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.


New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

News Release: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JACKIE BROWN, 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 92 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing ammunition.


Yosemite National Park Squatter Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

News Release: FRESNO, Calif. - Devin Michael Cuellar, 29, a transient, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


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.


Jackson Woman Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

News Release: Jackson, Miss. - A Jackson woman pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


Federal Grand Jury Indicts New Orleans Man for Federal Gun Offense

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 12, 2023, KEILEN HAWKINS, age 25, was charged in a one-count indictment being a felon in possession of a firearm.


Cheyenne Man Convicted of Unlawful Possession of Firearm

News Release: Devon Jonathan Souza, a/k/a/ Devon Jonathan Swan, age 29, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was convicted on May 10, 2023, by a federal jury for being a felon and a drug user in unlawful possession of a firearm. The trial was held before U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson.


River Ridge Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On Friday, May 11, 2023, TYRRIN BLUNT, age 27, a resident of River Ridge, Louisiana, pled guilty to a three-count indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. In Count 1, BLUNT is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C.


Rosedale Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for a Conspiracy To Smuggle Firearms and Other Military Items From the United States To Assist Separatists Fighting Against the Government of Cameroon

News Release: Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Tamufor Nchumuluh St. Michael, age 42, of Rosedale, Maryland, yesterday to 30 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy and for violating the Arms Export Control Act by sending firearms, ...


Cooperation Between United States and Mexican Law Enforcement Leads to Mexican Takedown of Significant Firearms Trafficker

News Release: TUCSON, Ariz. - Michel Bacasegua-Barriga, the leader of a prolific transnational firearms trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.-Mexico border, was arrested last week by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, Fiscalía General de la República (FGR). The enforcement operation ...


Two Additional Oath Keepers Members Sentenced on Felony Charges Related to U.S. Capitol Breach

News Release: Two members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced today on felony and misdemeanor charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.


Convicted Murderer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison After Being Caught Illegally Possessing Firearms, Including a “Sawed-Off” Shotgun

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS- Jeremy Bullock, 45, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and possessing an unregistered “sawed off" shotgun.