News from May 2023
Three MS-13 Gang Members Convicted of Racketeering and Violent Crime Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - A federal jury convicted three La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, members yesterday of RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, and destruction of evidence.
ATF Investigates Weare Explosions
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Boston - The Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the investigation of two separate explosions that occurred in a wooded area of Weare, New Hampshire.
Eight Time Convicted Felon Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Possessing Loaded Firearm
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Niko Wimbley (30, Tampa) to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Wimbley had pleaded guilty on Jan. 12, 2023.
Florida Man Arrested on Felony Charges for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - A Florida man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Armed Waterbury Drug Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on April 28, 2023, CORNELIUS CONEY, also known as “C Nizzy," 35, of Waterbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Network of Transnational Fraudsters Indicted for Racketeering in Scheme to Steal Millions from American Consumers’ Bank Accounts
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has returned an indictment charging 14 defendants for their participation in a years-long scheme to steal millions of dollars from American consumers’ bank accounts, the Justice Department announced today.
Justice Department publishes 64 notices in March
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
There were 64 notices published by the Justice Department in March, according to the Federal Register.
ATF National Response Team Joins Oklahoma City Church Fire Investigation
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - The Dallas Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives requested ATF’s National Response Team join the investigation into a church fire that occurred Monday morning at 7200 S. Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City.
Notice of Charter Reestablishment discussed on May 3 by Justice Department
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
The US Justice Department published a one page notice on May 3, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, and Sale of Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that ANDREW FRANCOEUR, 36, of Manchester, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to offenses related to his illegal possession, manufacture, and sale of firearms.
Oklahoma City Man Charged With Setting Fire to Local Church
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: OKLAHOMA CITY - Yesterday, a criminal complaint was unsealed that charges OSCAR REYNALDO GOMEZ, 54, of Oklahoma City, with arson of the God of No Limits Church located at 7200 South Walker Avenue, in Oklahoma City, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Hammond Man Charged in Federal Arson Case
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - TERRENCE COE, age 29, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was charged by a federal grand jury in a one-count indictment with arson, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Orleans Parish Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Violation of the Federal Gun Control Act
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On Thursday, April 27, 2023, REGIS GRIMES, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced in the United States District Court after previously pleading guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Fort Myers Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Fort Myers, Florida - U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Jontavious Jarquel Griffin (34, Fort Myers) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. The court also ordered Griffin to forfeit the firearm and ammunition possessed during the offense. Griffin had pleaded guilty on Jan. 25, 2023.
Senator Murray Discusses Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness
By DOJ Newswire Report | May 4, 2023
On May 3, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and many of her Democratic colleagues to discuss a new legislative effort to bolster U.S. competitiveness and reiterate the importance of her work as Appropriations Chair to craft and pass funding bills to keep pace with our competitors and keep America on the cutting edge.
Sacramento Man Charged With Methamphetamine Distribution Crimes and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: SACRAMENTO, Calif. - 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.
Senator Murray at NIH Budget Hearing: We Cannot Afford to Slash Our Investments in Lifesaving Research
By DOJ Newswire Report | May 4, 2023
On May 4, at a Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, discussed how investing in the scientific research NIH conducts and supports produces breakthroughs that change patients and their families’ lives, prepares us for pandemics and other health threats, and ensures the U.S. continues to be the global leader in biomedical research.
Prohibited Person Sentenced to Seven Years for Possessing a Gun and Ammunition
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - 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).
Lake County Convicted Felon Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Traffic More Than 130 Pounds of Marijuana
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Jack Protzman (74, Tavares) to two years in federal prison for conspiracy to traffic more than 130 pounds of marijuana. The court also ordered Protzman to forfeit $18,440, and an additional $32,800 was administratively forfeited, which amounts were traceable to proceeds of the offense. Protzman had pleaded guilty on Aug. 16, 2022.
Tampa Area Siblings Sentenced to 15 Years for Series of Convenience Store Robberies
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Tampa, FL - U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven has sentenced Christopher Alvarez (19, Tampa) and Dyonnie Alvarez (22, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison for four Hobbs Act robberies, conspiracy to commit those robberies, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence during the commission of the robberies. Dyonnie Alvarez was also sentenced for an additional attempted Hobbs Act robbery. Both had previously pleaded guilty.