Category: United States of America

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

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Preston Allen, 58, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on August 19, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on February 3, 2025, Allen was arrested at his Lufkin home after law enforcement officers arrived to execute a warrant. Upon arrival, deputies found Allen standing outside the home with an AR-15 style rifle.  Allen was ordered to put the rifle on the ground and was taken into custody.  Further investigation revealed Allen is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.   

Allen was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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).

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Robeson County felon has been sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by an additional two years for violating his federal supervised release, following a domestic violence assault that resulted in the shooting of an off-duty Dunn Police Officer. Daniel Wayne Locklear, 41, pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in April 2025.

“The United States will not permit violent felons to attack innocent women and citizens with guns. God bless this Dunn police officer who put his own life at risk to stop this Big Shark Bad Boy mid-crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Thankfully he has recovered from being shot in the leg. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his courage. The Dunn Police Department is righteously proud of this hero, as are we all.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on September 19, 2023, a woman rushed into the Exxon Gas Station in Linden and asked the clerk to call 911.  Locklear entered shortly after the woman and began yelling at her. The clerk attempted to block the woman from Locklear, but Locklear flashed a gun and pushed the clerk out of the way.  Locklear then grabbed the female victim by the legs and began dragging her out of the store.  An off-duty Dunn Police Officer, who was also inside the gas station, attempted to de-escalate the situation and stop Locklear from leaving with the woman. Locklear drew his firearm and shot at the officer while he fled out of the store.  The officer returned fired, striking Locklear in the forearm and abdomen. Once outside of the gas station, Locklear fired 15 rounds into the store and then fled in his car.  The off-duty officer was hit by a bullet in his upper leg, but he successfully kept Locklear from taking the woman.

“An attack on an officer is an attack on the entire community. Violence against the brave men and women that work so hard to protect us cannot be tolerated, and ATF will continue to do everything possible to support our law enforcement colleagues,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones.

“Domestic violence has widespread consequences that affect not only the victim but also their family, friends, communities, and workplaces. We are firmly against any form of violence in Cumberland County and stand united with the Department of Justice in addressing this issue. I commend the remarkable heroism of the off-duty officer who took swift action,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Johnathan Morgan.

“On the evening of this incident, Officer Joshua Elliott’s actions saved the life of the female victim, the store clerk, and the customers inside the business. Officer Elliott’s dedication to his career, his years of training, and his calling to be a police officer — to ‘be alert and vigilant to enforce the criminal laws of this state’ — gave him the ability to act decisively in this crisis situation and save lives. By doing so, he became a hero. This heroic act demonstrates Officer Elliott’s steadfast commitment to the law enforcement oath of office, answering the call of duty without hesitation. We are thankful that justice has been served for the innocent victims, including Officer Elliott, who was directly involved in this incident,” said Dunn Police Chief Cary Jackson.

As a convicted felon who was on federal supervised release, Locklear was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Despite this, when officers located Locklear’s vehicle, they found a loaded 9mm firearm with a 30-round large capacity magazine nearby.

Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Dunn Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx 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. 5:24CR00294D-1.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County man has been charged with attempted murder of a federal officer, as well as narcotics offenses and possession of five firearms, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Maloy Amador, 43, is charged by complaint with attempted murder of a federal officer, discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Amador appeared on August 14, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court and was detained.

“Violence against federal law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in New Jersey.  Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”

– Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On August 13, 2025, law enforcement responded to Amador’s residence in Parsippany, New Jersey for the purpose of executing a search warrant in connection with a federal narcotics and firearms investigation. After law enforcement entered Amador’s residence, Amador fired a gun toward law enforcement. Following an extended exchange of gunfire between Amador and law enforcement, Amador eventually surrendered, and law enforcement placed him under arrest.  At some point during the exchange of gunfire, Amador was struck in the arm. After Amador’s arrest, one of the officers who entered Amador’s residence discovered pieces of a projectile in the officer’s bulletproof vest from a bullet that Amador had fired. During a subsequent search of Amador’s residence, law enforcement recovered narcotics and several firearms, including multiple assault rifles.

The charge of attempted murder of a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the charge of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, the charge of possession of firearms by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and the narcotics offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The attempted murder of a federal officer and firearms offenses each carry a maximum fine of $250,000 and the narcotics offense carries a maximum fine of $1 million.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited officers and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr. with the investigation leading to today’s charges. Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba also thanks U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Port of New York and New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Vance Kuhner; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll; the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Pantina for their assistance in this investigation.

This investigation 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 government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin, Chief of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Javon Henry of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense Counsel: Laura Sayler, Esq.

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

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – On Monday, August 18, 2025, Shantel Marie Powell, 37, of Crestview, was found guilty by a federal jury of making a false statement to a federal agent. Her husband and codefendant, Kevin Lamonte Powell Jr., 40, had earlier pleaded guilty as charged to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The verdict and guilty plea were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office is committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from violent felons and drug traffickers, and this case is yet another victory toward achieving that goal.  Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and we will not hesitate to aggressively prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the armed criminals flooding our streets with dangerous drugs and their accomplices. I am deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners that led to this successful prosecution.”

Evidence admitted at Shantel Powell’s trial and court documents established that on January 31, 2025, following federal search warrants executed simultaneously at an outbuilding in Crestview where Kevin Powell regularly stored and distributed drugs and the Powells’ home in Pensacola, law enforcement seized fentanyl, evidence that Kevin Powell was packaging and preparing drugs for sale, including two large kilogram presses, a total of five firearms, and various amounts of ammunition. One of the firearms was a privately made firearm with no manufacturer markings or serial number, often referred to as a “ghost gun.” While the search warrant was being executed, Shantel Powell willfully lied to a federal task force officer by falsely claiming that she had purchased the privately made firearm at a particular gun store in Crestview.

Sentencing for Kevin Powell is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Shantel Powell will be sentenced on November 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The defendants will be sentenced at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. Kevin Powell faces a maximum term of 45 years’ imprisonment, and Shantel Powell faces a maximum term of 5 years’ imprisonment.

The convictions were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Crestview Police Department, and the Niceville Police Department, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.

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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Darrell Glenn DeVoge, 50, of Cedar City, Utah, was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release after he pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a licensed dealer. DeVoge is the last of three defendants to be sentenced for burglarizing a C-A-L Ranch store in Cedar City in November 2023.

DeVoge’s codefendants include, the ringleader of the burglary, Russell Wesley Gruber, 31, and DeVoge’s son Parker Darrell DeVoge, 21, both of Cedar City. On July 9, 2025, Gruber was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment, and three years’ supervised release. On April 22, 2025, Parker DeVoge was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release. All three defendants were ordered to pay a joint restitution in the amount of $2,406.11 to C-A-L Ranch.  

According to court documents and admissions made at the defendants’ change of plea and sentencing hearings, on November 21, 2023, just before midnight Gruber, Parker DeVoge and Darrell DeVoge burglarized C-A-L Ranch in Cedar City. All three were armed with guns Gruber provided, which were stolen from prior burglaries by Gruber and Parker. After smashing display cases, they stole dozens of firearms and fled the C-A-L Ranch store. A few hours later, on November 22, 2023, Gruber and Parker DeVoge returned to C-A-L Ranch to commit a second burglary before the store opened. In total, the defendants stole 75 firearms, which included rifles, shotguns, revolvers and pistols. They also stole ammunition, red dot sights, and firearm accessories. Gruber and Darrell DeVoge then stored the stolen firearms, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case was investigated jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cedar City Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Burton and Brady Wilson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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 Department 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN. 
 

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

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Cristian Geovanni Rojas Benitez, 37, a Mexican national who overstayed his visa and remained illegally in the United States, was charged by indictment with forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with an officer of the United States, while using a deadly or dangerous weapon, that is, a motor vehicle, while the officer was engaged in the performance of official duties.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that, on the morning of June 23, 2025, the defendant used his full-size pickup truck to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), while the agent was carrying out his official duties.

As detailed in court filings, on that date, the HSI agent and other federal officers were attempting to locate Rojas Benitez and take him into administrative custody because he violated the terms of his release pending removal proceedings.

Based on information they had received, the federal officers surveilled a Downingtown, Pennsylvania, residence. At approximately 8:30 a.m., a man matching the description and photograph of Rojas Benitez exited the residence and got into a pickup truck. When the defendant started to drive away, the federal officers quickly conducted a vehicle stop.

As alleged in court filings, Rojas Benitez did not comply with the federal officers’ commands to get out of the vehicle or roll down his window. During this encounter, the HSI agent moved to the front of the vehicle to maintain visibility of the driver. The law enforcement officers told Rojas Benitez that if he did not comply, his window would be broken, and when Rojas Benitez continued not to comply after multiple warnings, one of the federal officers broke the rear driver’s side window of the truck.

As alleged, the defendant then put the vehicle in drive and drove over the sidewalk in the direction of the HSI agent, who had to push off the truck with his hand and jump out of way to avoid being struck. As alleged, the defendant also narrowly avoided hitting a passing school bus. The defendant then fled the state and was ultimately located by the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., on July 24.

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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

The case was investigated by HSI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

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.