News from 2023
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.
International Firearms Dealer Involved in $2 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Daniel Ira Johnson (35, Orlando), a/k/a “Shotta" a/k/a “Lajon Black," to seven years and six months in federal prison for shipping firearms to the United Kingdom and committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 unemployment insurance relief. Johnson had pleaded on Dec. 27, 2022.
Activity in the United States Attorney’s Office
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Firearm Offenses. James Paul Stokes, age 49, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 18, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The government requested 46 months’ imprisonment. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Stokes to 33 months in prison with three ...
St. Croix County Man Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison for 2018 Arson
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: HUDSON, Wis. - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in cooperation with the St. Croix District Attorney’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations State Fire Marshal’s Office, announces the sentencing of a St. Croix County man to 216 months in state prison for setting fire to a Woodville, Wisconsin, commercial building on Dec. 29, 2018.
45 Minneapolis Gang Members and Associates Indicted on Federal Charges
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Two indictments were unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 30 members and associates of two Minneapolis-based street gangs - the Highs and the Bloods - with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving alleged murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking.
New Haven Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm Offense
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYRIQ MARTIN, 22, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing ammunition.
North Dakota Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Armed Carjacking of a Delivery Truck
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: MINNEAPOLIS - A Devils Lake, North Dakota man has been sentenced to 136 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking a man at gunpoint in Blaine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Former Employee Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Molotov Cocktail Attack on St. Charles Restaurant
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: ST. LOUIS - A disgruntled former employee of a St. Charles, Missouri restaurant who attacked it with Molotov cocktails was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Gun Charges
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christian G. Cruz, 25, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Barren County Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Possessing With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Illegal Possession of Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Bowling Green, KY - A Barren County, Kentucky, man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for “Straw Purchases” of Nineteen Firearms and Illegal Gun Trafficking Using Instagram
By DOJ Newswire | May 4, 2023
News Release: Indianapolis- DeAngelo Carnell, 24, of Indianapolis, Indiana was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to six counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and one count of dealing in firearms without a federal license.