Category: Justice

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

ST. LOUIS – Five people accused of involvement in a drug distribution ring that smuggled kilograms of cocaine to St. Louis and other areas were arrested Tuesday.

Christopher D. Taylor, 35; Stanford “Stan” Times, 36; Vincent “Lil V” Woods, 38; and Terry Smith, 49, were arrested in the St. Louis area. Rene Garcia, 47, was arrested in Texas.

Arturo Villalobos, now 33, of Texas, has been in custody since April, when he was charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He was indicted with that same charge on April 30. A superseding indictment on July 24 added charges against the others.

Times, Woods, Garcia, Grant “50” Berry, 47, and Nabor Deleon, 34, of Texas, now face one cocaine conspiracy count and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Villalobos, Berry and Deleon face a second possession count. Taylor, Smith, and Wally Burciaga, 30, face just the cocaine conspiracy count.

The indictment accuses all of them in involvement in a cocaine conspiracy from October 2024 to July 2025.

Motions seeking to hold the men in jail until trial say Villalobos was caught with a duffel bag containing 19 kilograms of cocaine, as well as $100,000 cash, part of a history of traveling the country transporting drugs and collecting drug payments. Only a few days later, he traveled to St. Louis to collect payment for a prior shipment of cocaine, the motion says.

Berry, who was caught with 13 kilograms of cocaine, supplied illegal drugs to Woods and Times, who supplied Taylor and Smith, the motions say. A man who purchased cocaine from Taylor was the target of a shooting on Interstate 55 in St. Louis on Nov. 23, 2024, the motions say. The buyer’s car was hit about 26 times. One round entered the northbound lanes of the highway, striking and killing an innocent bystander, the motions say.

Burciaga, an escaped federal prison inmate, was the source of supply of the drugs in Mexico, and Garcia and Deleon are truck drivers who transported the drugs, the motions say.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely an accusation and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Jefferson County Municipal Enforcement Group, the Overland Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torrie J. Schneider is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

RALEIGH, N.C. – Alston Lamonte Parker, age 39, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after law enforcement executed two search warrants and located drugs, a firearm, and cash.

“We appreciate the partnership with the Halifax County Sheriff and the ATF to get this Big Shark Bad Boy off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to focus on making Eastern North Carolina safer for the good citizens who proudly live there.”   

According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, on March 5, 2024, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) officers executed two search warrants at two residences in Roanoke Rapids, one on Zoo Road and another on New Hope Street. The warrants were based on three years of prior surveillance of Parker. Investigators determined the Zoo Road residence served as a stash house for narcotics, while the New Hope Street residence was used to store Parker’s drug proceeds.

During the searches of both properties and Parker’s vehicle, HCSO seized 586.68 grams of cocaine, 1,605 grams of prepackaged marijuana, eight grams of crack cocaine, and $13,079 in U.S. currency. They also recovered a Springfield Armory, Model XDS 9mm pistol that was registered to an individual in Virginia. An additional $11,851 in U.S. currency at the New Hope Street residence.

Parker is a convicted felon and was on federal supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine at the time of his March 2024 conduct. Parker was convicted of this offense in 2010 and served 156 months in federal prison. Parker also has an additional felony conviction for possession of cocaine from 2005.

Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.  Agencies involved in the investigation include the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-00057-M-RJ.

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

GREAT FALLS – A Browning man accused of killing an individual and possessing an unlawful firearm appeared today for arraignment, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

The defendant, Treyson Lee Sharp, 21, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. The maximum penalties for involuntary manslaughter are 8 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The penalties for possession of an unlawful firearm are 10 years of imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Sharp was released pending further proceedings.

Count I of the indictment alleges that on or about December 28, 2024, at or near Browning, the defendant, without due caution and circumspection, killed Jane Doe, in the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, that is, he discharged a loaded firearm while pointing it at Jane Doe, killing her.

Count 2 of the indictment alleges that on or about December 28, 2024, at or near Browning, the defendant knowingly possessed a weapon made from a shotgun, which the defendant knew had an overall length of less than 26 inches and a barrel of less than 18 inches, which was not registered to him in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI, ATF, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PACER case reference. 25-84.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

XXX

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Malik Ray, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This case is another outstanding example of state and federal law enforcement partnering to protect the citizens of North Florida. My office is committed safeguarding our communities against the predations of violent felons by keeping those offenders off our streets.”

Court documents reflect that on October 22, 2024, officers with Florida Probation and Parole and the Tallahassee Police Department conducted a search of Ray’s residence pursuant to the terms of his Florida probation. During the search, officers found an AR-style pistol, over five pounds of marijuana, and other evidence of drug dealing. A subsequent investigation revealed that Ray had been distributing marijuana since at least March 2024.

Ray faces up to twenty years’ imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release when he is sentenced.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Florida Department of Corrections, Office of Community Corrections, Circuit Two. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

A man involved in a drug conspiracy in Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced August 18, 2025, to 60 months in federal prison.

Adis Vretenarevic, age 30, who lived in Waterloo, Iowa, at the time of the instant crime, received the prison term after a March 21, 2025 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. 

From August 2022 through January 2024, Vretenarevic was involved in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of marijuana intended for further distribution in Waterloo.  During this time, Vretenarevic deposited thousands of dollars in drug proceeds into a bank account used by the drug trafficking organization.  At the time of the conspiracy, Vretenarevic was on federal supervision for the prior crime of possession of a firearm by a drug user.

Vretenarevic was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Vretenarevic was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Vretenarevic is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin, and it was investigated by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force

Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Denver Iowa Police Department, Fullerton California Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 24-CR- 02050-004.

Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Louis Terrell Jones, 42, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a machinegun. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our brave law enforcement officers are increasingly encountering and seizing firearms that have been illegally modified to fire as fully automatic machineguns. My office remains fully committed to fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting these violent criminals with the full force of the law.”

In November 2024, a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office initiated a routine traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jones. During the stop, the vehicle was searched and the deputy found a Glock 9 millimeter pistol with a machinegun conversion device attached to it. Jones is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including attempted burglary, possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault by threat with a firearm.

Jones faces up to twenty-five years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to four years and five months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, in Norfolk on Feb. 16, 2024, Norfolk Police and Portsmouth Police performed a traffic stop and arrested Joshaua Sheimel Anderson, 25, on outstanding warrants. Detectives conducted a search of Anderson’s backpack and located a handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device and a 31-round extended magazine. They also recovered over a pound and a half of suspected marijuana, multiple jars of suspected THC wax, and over $2,200.

Prior to this offense, Anderson had been convicted of grand larceny, felony eluding, hit and run, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As a previously convicted felon, Anderson cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-40.

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Zackery Chase Brunson, 33, of Shalimar, Florida, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to make our community safer by getting this dangerous repeat offender off the streets. This is yet another important case by my office fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing criminal offenders to keep our communities safe.”

In January 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brunson’s residence in Shalimar, Florida. During the search, law enforcement found two rifles, a shotgun, and three pistols, and multiple types of ammunition. Brunson is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance.

Brunson faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Okaloosa County Sherriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.