Category: United States Department of Justice

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Rochester man pleads guilty to drug and gun charges

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Brandon Washington a/k/a B Mack, 40, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $8,000,000.   

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who is handling the case, stated that between May 2021 and July 21, 2022, Washington conspired with others to sell marijuana from various drug houses located in the city of Rochester. He oversaw the operation of marijuana distribution houses on St. Paul and Sixth Street in Rochester, and stored marijuana at two residences on Laser Street, also in Rochester. Washington oversaw the supply of drug houses, which were hardened with firearms, with quantities of pre-packaged marijuana for sale and paid individuals to deliver to and sell marijuana from these locations.

On July 14, 2022, Rochester Police officers executed a search warrant at the St. Paul Street residence, seizing quantities of marijuana, scales and drug ledgers, as well as $8,254 in cash. On July 16 and July 21, 2022, search warrants were executed at the Sixth Street residence, during which investigators seized quantities of marijuana, approximately $13,390 in cash, and four firearms. Also on July 21, 2022, a search warrant was executed at a Laser Street residence, which served as a stash location, revealing significant quantities of marijuana packaged for sale and five firearms. Gun traces on the firearms connected the conspirators to several other shootings in Rochester in the summer of 2022. A search warrant was also executed at another Laser Street residence, which was Washington’s residence, resulting in the seizure of quantities of marijuana and over 100 rounds of ammunition. Washington, as a previously convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing any ammunition.   

The case against Washington and his co-conspirators stemmed from the investigation into the murder of Rochester Police Department Investigator Anthony Mazurkewicz and the assault of Investigator Sino Seng, who were shot in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Mazurkewicz died because of his injuries. Co-conspirator Kelvin Vickers was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. The investigation also focused on a double homicide occurring the day before, on July 20, 2021, resulting in the deaths of Richard Collinge and Myjel Rand. Co-conspirators Kelvin Vickers, Deadrick Fulwiley and Raheim Robinson were convicted of those murders. Vickers and Robinson were sentenced to life in prison, and Fulwiley received 30-years in prison.   

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2025 before Judge Geraci.     

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Vallejo Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Ammunition

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Jeffrey Caldwell, 37, of Vallejo, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to 14 years and seven months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

On May 13, 2025, following a two-day trial before Judge Coggins, a jury found Caldwell guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Caldwell is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his 14 prior felony convictions, which include convictions for assault, burglary, and stalking.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on Dec. 16, 2024, when multiple guests of a motel in Vallejo called 911 to report that Caldwell was firing a gun inside the building. Officers from the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) quickly responded and evacuated the building, at which point Caldwell barricaded himself in his room and refused to surrender. The Vallejo Police deployed their SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams, beginning a multi-hour standoff which lasted into the early morning of the next day.

The standoff finally ended when the SWAT Team deployed chemical agents into Caldwell’s room, which forced him out. Caldwell attempted to flee but was quickly arrested. A search of Caldwell’s person did not locate the firearm, but when the officers entered his room, they found a large hole in the bathroom wall. Stuffed inside the hole were multiple items, including a shower curtain, clothing, a canister of bear spray, and a pistol. Officers inspected the gun and determined that it was a privately manufactured firearm, commonly referred to as a ghost gun due to its lack of a traceable serial number. Caldwell had left the gun with a single round of ammunition still in the chamber.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Campbell and R. Alexander Cárdenas prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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Chinese National Sentenced to 24 months in prison for Scam Targeting Elderly Americans

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

SAN DIEGO – Jiaci Liu, a Chinese national, was sentenced in federal court today to 24 months in prison for engaging in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old man from Poway who exposed the scam by reporting his suspicions to authorities.

Today’s sentence is in addition to three months Liu already served in state custody before his case was charged federally. Liu was originally arrested in February 2024 and charged by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. He was transferred to federal custody in May 2024, when he was charged by federal criminal complaint for his role in the conspiracy. Crimes are sometimes transferred from state to federal prosecutors because federal law allows for the prosecution of offenses that involve victims beyond the state’s jurisdiction.

According to publicly filed documents, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force (ETJF) learned of the fraud scheme after the victim reported to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department that he had been duped as part of a complex scam in which conspirators posed as technical support specialists, bank representatives and government officials.

Specifically, while the Poway victim was on his personal computer, a pop-up window appeared indicating there was a possible virus on his computer and instructing him to contact a phone number. When he contacted the number, he was transferred through a series of co-conspirators pretending to work in tech support. The victim was informed that his computer had viruses and was transferred to another conspirator who claimed to be from the victim’s bank. During that interaction, the victim was told there were unauthorized transfers from his bank and was instructed to immediately withdraw all his money for safekeeping.

The victim went to his bank and withdrew $28,000. The victim was then told by the conspirators that someone from the U.S. Marshals Service would come to his house to pick up the money. After the interaction, the victim became suspicious and contacted the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, which informed the victim to contact them if anyone showed up to pick up the money.

Defendant Jiaci Liu arrived at the victim’s residence attempting to take the victim’s money. The victim called police, who arrived and found Liu outside the victim’s home. After Liu was arrested, his cellphone was seized and searched.  Investigators located evidence that in just one week of the conspiracy, in June 2023, Liu had traveled throughout Southern California and Arizona and personally taken over $202,000 directly from elderly victims. The victims were from mid- to late-70s, but with one victim 83-years-old.

As the government argued in its sentencing papers, each of the victims had worked a lifetime to save money for a dignified retirement. But because of Liu and his co-conspirators, they lost substantial sums of money, including at least one victim who had suffered significant financial hardship.

In imposing Liu’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta found that the scheme involved “sophisticated means” and caused substantial financial hardship to the elderly victims. Judge Ohta also highlighted that the in-person pickups from elderly victims was particularly concerning because it had the potential for physical injury or an altercation between the defendant and the elderly victims.

“Scamming the elderly is a reprehensible crime that robs individuals of their hard-earned savings and the dignity they deserve in their golden years,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “There’s a cruelty in being willing to con your way to a victim’s door, look your victim in the eye, and physically take their life savings from them. This office will not tolerate deceitful and cruel criminals exploiting seniors.”

“Thanks to the courage of one potential victim alerting law enforcement, today’s sentencing ensures that Liu will be held accountable for his actions in a multinational tech support scam,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force through its collaborative partnerships in protecting our most vulnerable communities. The FBI is proud to play a role in that mission.”

This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force and its member agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24cr1238-JO                         

Jiaci Liu                                  Age: 35                                   China

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349

Criminal Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(2)(A), and Title 28, U.S.C., Section 2461(c)

Maximum Penalties: Thirty years in prison; $1 million fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

San Diego Police Department

San Diego Elder Justice Task Force

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Stockton Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Trafficking Firearms on Instagram

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Julian Arellano-Taylor, 21, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to nine years in prison for dealing firearms without a license and distribution of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between May 3, 2023, and March 3, 2024, Arellano-Taylor advertised and sold firearms on Instagram. Unbeknownst to Arellano-Taylor, one customer was a confidential informant and purchased 11 firearms from him. These firearms included ghost guns without serial numbers that were designed to replicate Glock pistols and AR-15-style rifles. At the same time as he was selling firearms, Arellano-Taylor was also selling cocaine.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department, the Lodi Police Department, the Stockton Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew De Moura prosecuted the case.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF. 

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Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man pleaded guilty on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland to stalking his victim using facilities of interstate or foreign commerce.

According to court records, for a period lasting until approximately August 2021, Brent Ouellette, 33, engaged in a course of conduct against his victim that included posting sexually explicit videos or pictures of his victim online without consent, contacting his victim posing as other people, and obtaining his victim’s social media login information.

Ouellette faces a maximum prison term of five years and a fine up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

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Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the US After a Prior Removal

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Miguel Gomez-Sanchez was removed in 2022 after a prior illegal reentry conviction

PORTLAND, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Miguel Gomez-Sanchez, 45, to 10 months in prison. Gomez-Sanchez pleaded guilty on June 26, 2025.

According to court records, on May 10, 2025, Gomez-Sanchez was arrested by the Maine State Police for operating under the influence on I-95. Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) determined Gomez-Sanchez had previously been removed from the U.S. several times. He was most recently removed in 2022 after being convicted for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal.

ICE ERO investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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 (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

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Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney Adds 269 Immigration Cases This Week

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

SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today that federal prosecutors in the district filed 269 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from Aug. 15 through 21.

Among the new cases, Mexican national Hector Garcia and Victor Rodriguez, a U.S. citizen, were arrested in Dilley on Aug. 16, when they were allegedly caught transporting five illegal aliens who were locked in metal compartments affixed to a pickup truck. A criminal complaint alleges that U.S. Border Patrol agents witnessed the pickup truck travel down roads and on routes utilized by human smugglers to avoid Border Patrol checkpoints. The truck driver’s driving behavior further raised the agents’ suspicion, and, as a result, agents conducted a traffic stop. The complaint alleges that Garcia was riding as a passenger in the vehicle and had an expired work visa. Rodriguez was allegedly the driver of the truck and told the agents that the keys to compartments affixed to the sides of the truck bed were at “the yard,” though, during a pat down search, agents found him to be in possession what appeared to be toolbox keys. Using those keys, the agents were able to unlock the compartments and allegedly discovered five individuals—all confirmed to be Mexican nationals illegally present in the U.S.—hidden inside. If convicted of alien smuggling as alleged in the complaint, Garcia faces up to 10 years in federal prison, while Rodriguez faces up to five.

Mexican national Santiago Esquivel Gonzalez was arrested and charged with one count of being an illegal alien in possession of firearm. A criminal complaint alleges he attempted to sell five firearms at a location in San Antonio on Aug. 19. Immigration records revealed Esquivel Gonzalez was in the U.S. illegally. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

In El Paso, U.S. citizen Alberto Dovali-Gamboa was arrested after USBP agents allegedly observed multiple individuals breach the border fence and enter his vehicle. A criminal complaint alleges that Dovali-Gamboa disregarded an attempted investigatory traffic stop and ultimately was stopped after Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers deployed a tire deflation device. When his vehicle finally stopped, Dovali-Gamboa was placed under arrest by USBP and eight passengers—all determined to be illegal aliens—were allegedly observed laying down in the rear of his vehicle.

Joshua Magdaleno, also a U.S. citizen, was arrested on Aug. 17 after he was allegedly identified as the driver of a vehicle transporting four illegal aliens from Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. A DPS trooper had allegedly observed the four aliens breach the border fence and enter Magdaleno’s vehicle. A criminal complaint alleges that Magdaleno failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens, and that DPS had to perform a pit maneuver to immobilize the vehicle. According to the complaint, Magdaleno stated he had been recruited to pick up illegal aliens on the border through a post on Instagram.

A Mexican national was arrested during a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection on a Union Pacific train. Mexican railroad security officers allegedly notified CBP officers that they had seen a person on one of the rail cars. A criminal complaint alleges that during the inspection, the CBP officers removed Francisco Alfredo Palacios-Guerrero from a grain hopper. Further investigation revealed that Palacios-Guerrero was previously removed from the U.S. four times, and had been convicted three times for illegal re-entry, three times for possession of narcotics, twice for battery, twice for presenting false identification, and once for an escape from jail.

A Honduran national was arrested near Maverick on Tuesday and charged with illegal re-entry. Marlon Gerardo Zavala-Garcia had been previously removed from the U.S. twice, the most recent being in January. He was convicted in Hondo on Nov. 12, 2024, for smuggling of persons and sentenced to 130 days confinement.

In Austin, a Salvadoran national was taken into federal custody after he had been arrested and booked in the Williamson County Jail. Rene Adalberto Jacinto-Rodriguez was convicted in 2009 for assault causing bodily injury of a family member and in 2010 for the aggravated felony of indecency with a child by sexual contact.

Jose Marvin Lopez-Sanchez, a Honduran national, was also taken into federal custody and charged with illegal re-entry in Austin. Lopez-Sanchez was previously removed in May 2024 after being convicted of assault causing bodily injury and criminal trespass. He was also convicted in 2023 for assault causing bodily injury of a family member and interfering with emergency request for assistance.

Mexican national Vicente Rodriguez-Santos was transferred into federal custody from the Travis County Jail where he had been booked for his third DWI arrest. Rodriguez-Santos was previously removed from the U.S. in 2018. In addition to the prior DWI convictions, he was convicted in August 2016 for criminal trespass, in October 2016 for theft property, and in 2017 for possession of a controlled substance.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are 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).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Jackson Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

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

Jackson, MS – A Jackson man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Domique Desha Mathews, 30, was found by the Ridgeland Police Department to be in possession of two firearms during a traffic stop. One of the firearms was a Glock pistol with an attached machinegun conversion device a/k/a a switch, which converts a pistol into a functioning machinegun and is a violation of federal and state law. Mathews has a previous felony conviction for attempted house burglary. As a convicted felon he is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Mathews was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 11, 2025. He pled guilty to the federal charge on May 21, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement.

The ATF investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted the case.

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).

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City Man Charged With Carjacking a Couple at Gunpoint in West Philadelphia

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

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Xavier Peterson, 19, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, arising from an armed carjacking earlier this year.

Peterson was ordered detained in federal custody at a detention hearing this afternoon.

The indictment alleges that, on April 4, 2025, the defendant carjacked a couple at gunpoint, forcing them out of their vehicle, which he then stole.

As detailed in court filings, on the night of April 4, Victim 1 parked his Subaru Crosstrek in West Philadelphia, to drop off his girlfriend, Victim 2. A masked male approached the couple, pointed a handgun at them, and forced them out of the car. The carjacker then drove away from the scene.

Approximately 40 minutes after the carjacking, Victim 2 received a notification that her credit card, which had been in the Crosstrek, was used in Upper Darby, Pa. Law enforcement in Delaware County began searching for the carjacked vehicle.

About an hour after the carjacking, a Haverford police officer saw the stolen car speeding on West Chester Pike towards the Blue Route. When the officer proceeded to pull the vehicle over on Interstate 476, court filings allege, the defendant fled from the driver’s seat on foot, while the vehicle’s three passengers remained in the car. About five minutes after Peterson fled, officers found him hiding in the underbrush next to the highway, and subsequently located a loaded semiautomatic handgun lying nearby.

If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department, the Haverford Township Police Department, the Radnor Township Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Miller.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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LAST OF MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL KIDNAPPING CONVICTION

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

DETROIT – Semaj Ayers, 23, of Detroit was sentenced yesterday to 110 months in federal prison following a conviction for federal kidnapping, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced today.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge James M. Deir of the ATF in Michigan.

Semaj Ayers entered a guilty plea to kidnapping on March 18, 2025. In total seven people were charged with conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping from this incident. Six people have been convicted. Cortez Blake, 23, and Nasir Lewis, 24, were convicted of kidnapping at trial, while Maijah Greene, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap; Shatonnia Kimbrough, 21, Armond Williams, 22, and Ayers pleaded guilty to kidnapping. The final defendant, Karamoh Turner, was acquitted at trial.

During the trial of Blake and Lewis, the jury heard evidence that the defendants worked with others to kidnap and beat their victim. The kidnappers wrongly believed the victim took part in a carjacking and the kidnapping was to retaliate and extract information from the victim. According to the testimony, a group of armed men took the victim from Sinai-Grace Hospital. The kidnappers first drove the victim to an empty lot in Detroit where the victim was beaten. The kidnappers then took the victim to a residence controlled by Blake, where the victim was held at gunpoint and beaten intermittently for hours. Finally, the victim was abandoned miles away on the roadside.

At trial, the government proved that the victim was held against her will at gunpoint in a house in Detroit where she was physically beaten. This was done in part to get information from her. Cellphones were used to recruit and direct others to join the kidnapping of the victim.

Two additional people were convicted of the carjacking that precipitated the kidnapping. Jamar Lee-Stinson pleaded guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 141 months in prison in May 2024. Amiaya Bryant also pleaded guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 120 months in prison in June 2024.

“Gang violence destroys the ability of innocent people in our community to simply go about their business. These defendants tried to take vengeance against another group and committed horrible violent crimes. And they kidnapped the wrong person to boot,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon. “We will do everything in our power to end this violence. The sentences imposed here—and the prosecutions we are bringing—are just the beginning.”

“Pure and simple, Ayers and his accomplices are predators who failed. They represent the worst of the worst in our community. They wrongfully imprisoned and tortured a member of our community. ATF is the federal violent crime police, and we are relentless in holding violent offenders accountable for their poor choices,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “In the end, Ayers should pack his bags and prepare to be reunited with his buddies as they seek redemption in federal prison for a long time.”

The United States Attorney’s Office and the ATF are focused on prosecuting those individuals who are using firearms to commit violent acts against people in the Eastern District of Michigan. The strategy is a part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN continues to be the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  PSN is an evidence-based program that focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs to pursue lasting reductions in crime.

These charges are just some of the tangible results of this joint effort.  The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to reduce violence in our communities.  Along with ATF, this case has been investigated with the assistance of the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, the United States Marshals Service, the Detroit Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit, and the Michigan Department of Corrections.