News from September 2023


Clay County Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Charges

News Release: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Shawntae Jamell Clark, 44, of Clay County has pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Clark faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 ...


Georgia Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach

News Release: WASHINGTON - A Georgia man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to 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 2020 presidential election.


Texas Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach

News Release: WASHINGTON - A Texas man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to 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 2020 presidential election.


ATF National Response Team Joins Hawaii Wildfire Investigation

News Release: WASHINGTON - The Seattle Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives requested the assistance of ATF’s National Response Team to determine the origin and cause of a wildland fire that occurred on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on Aug. 8, 2023.


Final Defendant in Red Lake Arson Case Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

News Release: MINNEAPOLIS - A Red Lake woman has been sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for her role in an arson conspiracy on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.


Fort Worth Shooting Suspect Sentenced to 10 Years for Gun Crime

News Release: DALLAS - A Fort Worth man who allegedly shot through the door of a local home, hitting an 82-year-old woman in the chest, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.


Armed Indiana Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis, and U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana announced that Charles Marshall, 45, of Speedway, Indiana, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.


New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug Offenses

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - LANCE STEVENS, age 27, of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced on Aug. 15, 2023 after pleading guilty to a six-count indictment charging him with federal firearm and drug trafficking offenses.


Fort Myers Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Convicted Felon

News Release: FORT MYERS, Fla. - U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Deshon G. Walker, 26, of Fort Myers today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Walker faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.


Violent Detroit Street Gang Indicted on RICO Charges

News Release: DETROIT - Members of a violent Detroit gang were indicted on various federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, trafficking controlled substances, firearm charges and unemployment insurance fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.


Worcester Man Indicted for Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

News Release: BOSTON - A Worcester man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.


New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Gun Control Act

News Release: NEW ORLEANS - Melvin Walker, 35, a resident of Westwego, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 37 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. On May 11, Walker pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).


Billings Man Accused of Illegal Possession of Firearm in School Zone

News Release: BILLINGS, Mont. - A Billings man accused of illegally possessing a gun near a Billings elementary school appeared today in federal court on a firearms charge, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Previously Convicted Felon Caught On Snapchat Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Offenses

News Release: BOSTON - A member of the Boston street gang “D Street" pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing multiple firearms and ammunition while a convicted felon and while he was under house arrest for a state firearm charge.


Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms Possession

News Release: HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 90 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.


Orlando Man Sentenced to More Than Nine Years for COVID-19 Fraud and Illegal Possession of Firearm

News Release: ORLANDO, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Brian A. Blake, 31, of Orlando to nine years and eight months in federal prison for access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. As part of the sentence, the court also ordered Blake to pay ...


Abingdon Meth Trafficker Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal Prison

News Release: ABINGDON, Va. - An Abingdon man, who conspired with two other people to distribute methamphetamine throughout southwest Virginia, was sentenced Tuesday to 90 months in federal prison.


Justice Department Proposes New Regulation to Update Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Firearms Dealer

News Release: WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced it has submitted to the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking that would clarify the circumstances in which a person is “engaged in the business" of dealing in firearms and thus required to obtain a license and run background checks. The ...


Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Discharge of a Weapon Resulting in Death Related to a Murder-For-Hire

News Release: Baltimore, Maryland - Tyrik Braxton, a/k/a “Son-Son," age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, in connection with a murder-for-hire conspiracy.


Republicans Launch Inquiry into Jack Smith's Office Meeting with Biden White House Officials

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent letters to President Biden's Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and Attorney General Merrick Garland on recent reports that Jay Bratt, a top aide to Special Counsel Jack Smith, met with Biden White House officials numerous times.