News from September 2023
Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for East Texas Drug Trafficking
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: TYLER, Texas - A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs through the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Dozens arrested as part of Houston Violent Crime Initiative
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: HOUSTON - The charges against 39 individuals are the newest brought in the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Houston Violent Crime Initiative, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and local, state and federal law enforcement.
Ringleader and Key Co-Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Leading Beckley-to-Philadelphia Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: BECKLEY, W.Va. - Bisheem Jones, aka “Bosh," 37, of Philadelphia was sentenced today to 25 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for leading a scheme to traffic over 140 firearms from southern West Virginia to Philadelphia. Shyheem Woodard-Smith, aka “Peanut" and “Nut," 23, of Philadelphia, was also sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his key role in the gun trafficking conspiracy.
Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machine Gun While on Bourbon Street During Mardi Gras
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - KEATON MANGHANE, age 24, a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to possessing a machinegun in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).
Chairman Jordan Launches Inquiry into Alleged Prosecutorial Abuses by Office of Special Counsel Jack Smith
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a letter to Special Counsel Jack Smith after launching an inquiry into Jay Bratt, one of his senior prosecutors and top aides. Bratt allegedly improperly pressured Stanley Woodward, a lawyer representing a defendant indicted ...
Straw Purchasers Charged With Buying 100+ Guns Trafficked to Mexico
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: DALLAS - A group of straw purchasers who allegedly bought more than 100 firearms later trafficked to Mexico has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Charleston Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Fentanyl and Gun Crimes
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Andre Dewayne Williamson, aka “A3," 36, of Charleston, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 6 years of supervised release, for five counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Amarillo Drug Dealer Charged With Possession of 76 Firearms, 54 Glock Switches
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: DALLAS - An Amarillo drug dealer with an arsenal of 76 firearms and 54 Glock switches was indicted on federal drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Indiana Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Trafficking in Machinegun Conversion Devices
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: LONDON, Ky. - Bailey Tyler Monde, 20, of Freetown, Indiana, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully transfer machineguns and one count of unlawful transfer of a machinegun.
Escondido Man Sentenced to 31 Years to Life in Prison for Murder and Arson
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: SAN DIEGO - An Escondido man was sentenced earlier this week to 31 years to life in prison for murder and arson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today.
Bridgeport Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charge
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Luis Garcia, 25, of Bridgeport pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a racketeering charge stemming from his participation in a violent Bridgeport street gang.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Kevin T. Leshore, 30, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Fort Myers Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and Cocaine
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: FORT MYERS, Fla. - U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Keith Dewayne Drayton Jr., 27, of Fort Myers today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine. Drayton faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for the firearm offense and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the drug offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Fort Myers Man Pleads Guilty to Murder-for-Hire
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: FORT MYERS, Fla. - U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Marvin Harris Jr., 25, of Fort Myers, aka “Mesh," today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate murder-for-hire resulting in death and interstate murder-for-hire resulting in death. Harris faces a minimum mandatory sentence of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
Grand Jury Returns Indictments in the Western District of Wisconsin
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Clay County Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Charges
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Edward Sherwood Gustafson IV, 30, of Green Cove Springs has pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Gustafson faces ...
Jacksonville Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison for Firearm Possession
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Antoine Danielle Pearson Jr., 28, of Jacksonville to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He was also ordered to forfeit the firearm and ammunition traceable to the offense. Pearson pleaded guilty on May 24.
Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and Ammunition
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: BOSTON - A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Federal Jury Convicts Zachary Man of Multiple Drug and Gun Charges
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: BATON ROUGE, La. - U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr. announced the conviction of Jeremy Dewayne Hawkins, 43, of Zachary, Louisiana. After a three-day trial before Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, the jury unanimously convicted Hawkins of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Louisville Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Stealing Firearms From a Licensed Firearms Dealer
By DOJ Newswire | Sep 10, 2023
News Release: LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Jefferson County, Kentucky, man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison followed by a 3-year term of supervised release for burglarizing a federally licensed firearms dealer and illegally possessing a stolen firearm in Louisville.