News from 2023


Paducah Resident Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearm Charges

News Release: Paducah, KY - A Paducah man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for methamphetamine distribution and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.


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

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


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.


Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree That Ended in High-Speed Chase in Which He Opened Fire on Law Enforcement

News Release: RIVERSIDE, California - An Arizona man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for committing armed robberies of nine stores in Southern California and Arizona during a crime spree last summer that ended in a high-speed chase in which he fired upon federal agents and, after police rammed his car, he accidentally shot himself under his chin.


North Fort Myers Man Indicted for Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

News Release: Fort Myers, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Chester Lewis Risco, III (19, North Fort Myers) with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If convicted, Risco faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Risco that the United States intends to forfeit the firearm and ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.


Madison Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Matthew J. Yancey, 23, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Yancey pled guilty to this charge on Feb. 24, 2023.


Four KC Metro Men Indicted for Illegally Trafficking Machineguns, Other Firearms

News Release: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three Kansas City, Mo., men and an Independence, Mo., man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally selling machine guns and other firearms, some of which have been linked to prior shootings.


North Dakota Man Sentenced to Prison for Armed Fentanyl Trafficking in Great Falls Area

News Release: GREAT FALLS - A North Dakota man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl in the Great Falls community after law enforcement found hundreds of fentanyl pills and a loaded firearm in a vehicle he was driving, was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Tehama County Man Indicted for Dealing in Firearms and Related Offenses

News Release: SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a 39-count indictment Thursday against James Lane Winslett, 65, of Corning, charging him unlawful manufacturing and dealing in firearms, engaging in the business as a dealer in firearms without registering or paying tax, unlawful sales of firearms to prohibited persons, and multiple counts of possessing unregistered firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed today.


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.


House GOP investigating Bank of America for ‘voluntarily’ giving FBI list of customers related to Jan 6

News Release: EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans are investigating whether Bank of America "voluntarily" turned over to the FBI a list of customers who made transactions in the days on and around the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, and those who purchased firearms with the bank’s credit and debit cards.


Jacksonville Felon Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms

News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Cory Lee Kelly (35, Jacksonville) to four years and nine months in federal prison for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Kelly had pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023. As part of his plea, he agreed to forfeit a machinegun, semi-automatic AR-style pistol, and assorted ammunition.


New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Carjacking and Firearm Charges

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARIO COUSAN, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on May 18, 2023, to 147 months imprisonment by Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, after pleading guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.


New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Weapons Violations

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 17, 2023, KENDALL THEARD, age 26, resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to one count of a four-count indictment for drug violations. Count 1 charges THEARD with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. THEARD’s sentencing is set for September 6, 2023.


Violent Felon Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison After Being Found Armed With a Machinegun and Unconscious in a Running Vehicle on I-465

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS- Michael Parham, 31, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.


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.


Federal Indictment Charges 7 With Gun and Narcotics Trafficking

News Release: LOS ANGELES - Federal and local authorities this morning arrested six defendants, the majority of whom are members of the El Sereno Rifa street gang, on federal weapons and narcotics charges stemming from a nearly yearlong undercover operation in which authorities purchased approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine and 47 firearms, including ghost guns and so-called “cop killer" handguns.


Violent Child Predator Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Failing To Register as a Sex Offender After Moving to Southern Indiana

News Release: NEW ALBANY- Franklin Gomar, 42, of Kentucky, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and failing to register as a sex offender.


Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Firearms Offenses and Carjacking

News Release: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today that Freddie Granger was sentenced to 25 years in ...


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.