Category: US Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives

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

NEW ORLEANS — Dejuan Williams, 29, of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to 262 months incarceration after previously pleading guilty to Counts 1 through 4 of a Superseding Bill of Information. Judge Lemelle also ordered that Williams be placed on supervised release for three years following release from imprisonment, and to pay a mandatory $400 special assessment fee.

Count 1 charged Williams with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Count 2 charged Williams with possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). Count 3 charged Williams with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Count 4 charged Williams with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court records, on Nov. 22, 2020, Williams was seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle being driven by his wife in New Orleans. While in the vehicle, Willimas was in knowing possession of a Glock Model 23, 40 caliber pistol. At some point, a gray sedan drove behind their vehicle and opened fire. Williams exited their vehicle and fled while still in possession of the pistol. Eventually, Williams reached Elysian Fields Avenue and attempted to hide the pistol underneath some greenery, but members of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) recovered the pistol later that day.

On Jan. 27, 2020, a NOPD detective attempted to locate and arrest Williams for his possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as described above. The NOPD detective eventually located WIilliams and, while attempting to arrest him, a struggle ensued. During the struggle and subsequent arrest, the detective saw a firearm sling on Williams’s person. Inside the sling was a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol, with a live round in the chamber, seven bullets in the attached magazine, a bag of heroin, two bags of crack cocaine and $458.00 of U.S. currency. Williams later admitted that the firearm was in the sling, that he possessed both the sling and firearm, that he had cocaine and heroin on his person, that he possessed both the heroin and cocaine, with the intent to distribute them in future drug sales and that the $458 came from selling heroin and cocaine.

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 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.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Louisiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.

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

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A man from Sikeston, Missouri on Thursday admitted selling a machine gun and other firearms to an undercover federal agent.

Averyoun Quentez Lane, 18, admitted selling two Glock pistols on July 3, 2023, to an undercover special agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). One of the pistols was equipped with an aftermarket “switch” that converted it into a fully automatic weapon. The conversion device alone is defined as a machine gun under federal law. Lane told the agent that he knew what the device did and instructed the agent on how to operate it. Lane also offered the agent a semiautomatic pistol and a stolen .38-caliber revolver on July 11, 2023, the day after the revolver was stolen in Sikeston. Lane sold the revolver before the agent could buy it but did sell the agent an AR-15-style weapon that day. After his arrest on an unrelated matter on July 13, 2023, Lane admitted obtaining and selling firearms on a regular basis. He did not have the proper license to do so.

Lane pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one felony count of unlawfully transferring a machine gun and one felony count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms.

Lane is scheduled to be sentenced May 16. The machine gun charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both prison and a fine. The firearm dealing charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and the same fine.

The ATF and the Sikeston Department of Public Safety investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis is prosecuting the case.

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

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A Bowling Green man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and the illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division and Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force made the announcement. 

According to court documents, Steven Phelps, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and the illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On Aug. 3, 2022, in Warren County, Phelps possessed with the intent to distribute 2,433 grams of methamphetamine and provided 8.734 grams of methamphetamine to another person for resale. On that same day Phelps also possessed a nine-millimeter handgun. Phelps was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.

On April 24, 2015, in Edmonson Circuit Court, Phelps was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense.

On Aug. 15, 2011, in Edmonson Circuit Court, Phelps was convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense.

On Nov. 15, 2004, in Warren Circuit Court, Phelps was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense.

There is no parole in the federal system.  

The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, 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 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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Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

OXFORD, Miss. — A Mississippi inmate and gang member was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, including murder, related to his participation in the Simon City Royals (SCR) gang.

According to court documents, Dillon Heffker, 33, of New Orleans, Louisiana participated in the criminal activities of the Simon City Royals, a violent national prison gang operating primarily in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but with members and associates acting on their behalf outside of prisons throughout Mississippi, Louisiana and elsewhere. Through an alliance with the violent Gangster Disciples gang, the Simon City Royals engaged in a host of criminal activities, including murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, money laundering, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, large-scale drug trafficking and fraud. The Simon City Royals were responsible for murders, attempted murders and other violent acts committed in the state prison system and throughout the state of Mississippi.

Court records reflect that Heffker stabbed another subordinate gang member, B.F., to death and was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. More specifically, beginning in 2016, SCR leaders and Heffker began planning the murder of B.F., a SCR member who they believed was involved in murdering another SCR member.

On Jan. 31, 2018, B.F. was released from solitary confinement (at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility) and into the prison pod where SCR members were located, including Heffker. A SCR leader passed down orders from other SCR members to Heffker to attack and kill B.F. Subsequently, B.F. was attacked and stabbed to death by Heffke and another SCR member. According to court documents, the two inmates attacked the victim on the second floor of the housing unit and continued stabbing him as the altercation went to the first-floor shower area. The incident was video recorded. Responding medical personnel found the victim, covered in blood and lying in a fetal position, on the shower floor. Witnesses then saw one of the inmates pass the homemade shanks to a SCR leader who hid the murder weapons. The investigation revealed the organization paid Heffker and the other SCR member for the murder.

On Oct. 5, 2023, Heffker pleaded guilty to Count One of an indictment charging him with RICO conspiracy. At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills remarked that this violent crime is “one of the more serious crimes I have had to deal with on this bench,” and sentenced Heffker to 420 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

“Several years ago, the Simon City Royals, a violent criminal gang, were the driving force behind an explosion of violence in Mississippi prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “Today’s sentence, as well as the almost 50 other recent prosecutions of the gang and its affiliates, should send a clear message that we will use every tool at our disposal to prosecute those who commit such heinous acts from behind bars or elsewhere.”

“Sending a career criminal like this to prison is another example of our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold accountable those who threaten our safety,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message to the community that violent gang members will be held accountable as we work to keep our neighborhoods safe as a top priority for ATF.”

“Today’s sentence underscores DEA’s dedication to dismantling violent drug trafficking organizations,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw . “We’re sending a clear message to criminal gangs: Mississippi has zero tolerance for their illegal activities. Your time here is up.”

This case has been investigated by ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, FBI Jackson Field Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections and dozens of local law enforcement agencies across multiple states.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stringfellow from the Northern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Ben Tonkin of the DOJ’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

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 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.

This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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

OXFORD, Miss — A Mississippi man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, including murder, related to his participation in the Simon City Royals gang.

According to court documents, from 2016 until 2022, Allen Posey, 49, of Hazlehurst, oversaw all of the criminal activities of the Simon City Royals, a violent national prison gang operating primarily in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but with members and associates acting on their behalf outside of prisons throughout Mississippi, Louisiana and elsewhere. Through an alliance with the violent Gangster Disciples gang and with a sophisticated structure, the Simon City Royals engaged in a host of criminal activities, including murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, money laundering, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, large-scale drug trafficking and fraud. Court records reflect that Posey personally ordered the murders of rival gang leaders and was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

The Simon City Royals engaged in widespread drug trafficking, including smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, heroin and benzodiazepines into dozens of Mississippi state prison facilities. The gang distributed these dangerous substances, including nearly 100% pure crystal methamphetamine, to inmates throughout the prison system.

Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Posey and other Simon City Royals members and associates carried out financial transactions in furtherance of the gang’s activities; these included the collection of dues, the pooling of criminal proceeds and the clandestine distribution of funds to incarcerated members, as well as a system of “investment” loans whereby members could borrow money for revenue-generating purposes such as purchasing a supply of narcotics.

The Simon City Royals engaged in a complex and sophisticated money laundering and fraud operation. Members committed their money laundering and fraud activities using contraband cellular telephones and encrypted applications like Telegram and Protonmail.

On Oct. 3, 2023, Posey pled guilty to Count One of an indictment which charged him with RICO Conspiracy. During a sentencing hearing on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills called the gang a “diabolical organization” and sentenced Posey to 240 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.                                        

“This defendant was responsible for countless crimes, and now he will spend functionally the rest of his life in prison,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “Safeguarding our communities from violent gangs will always be a top priority for our office, and we commend the state/federal investigative partnership that made this case possible.”

“Our neighborhoods deserve to exist without fear and intimidation inflicted by violent gangs like the Simon City Royals,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today is another example of our commitment to seek the maximum prosecution for criminals who have posed such grave danger to our neighborhoods.”

“Nothing matters more than the safety of our communities,” declared Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “This repeat offender’s conviction exemplifies DEA’s tireless partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking rings that endanger Mississippians and citizens across the country.”

This case has been investigated by ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, FBI Jackson Field Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections and dozens of local law enforcement agencies across multiple states.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stringfellow from the Northern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Ben Tonkin of the DOJ’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

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 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.

This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in the arson of the Target corporate headquarters in downtown Minneapolis, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, Minneapolis experienced arson, rioting and looting following the suicide of a suspect in a homicide, and in response to false rumors surrounding the man’s death. Leroy Lemonte Perry Williams, 37, and his co-defendants went to the Target Corporation’s corporate headquarters building (“Target Corporation building”) in downtown Minneapolis where dozens of other people had gathered. Williams and others broke into the Target Corporation building and repeatedly attempted to set fire both inside and outside the building.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Williams was convicted on one count of arson. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Paul A. Magnuson.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Minneapolis Fire Department; and the Minneapolis, Bloomington and Richfield Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Nathan H. Nelson prosecuted the case.

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

NEW YORK — Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Erin Keegan, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Tommy Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging Christen Chen, aka “Nauti,” Shaqoya Hall, aka “Q,” and Zachary Hampton, aka “J,” with conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms, firearms trafficking and interstate transportation of firearms, in connection with their involvement in a scheme to illegally transport firearms from Georgia to New York, among other places, for resale.  

Hall and Hampton were arrested on Jan. 30 in New York, New York. Chen was arrested on Jan. 30 in Staten Island. Hall and Hampton were presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger and detained. Chen will be presented later today before Judge Lehrburger.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “As alleged, these defendants directly contributed to the flow of illegal guns into New York City, endangering communities in this district for little more than financial gain. To anyone who is thinking about illegally selling guns to New Yorkers or illegally bringing guns to New York: we and our law enforcement partners are watching.”

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said, “HSI New York’s Violent Gang Task Force worked collaboratively with the ATF and the NYPD to disrupt the alleged iron pipeline of firearms flooding New York neighborhoods. I commend all agencies involved in this vital partnership, which prevented 13 illegal firearms from potentially making their way into the hands of criminals and gang members.”

ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tommy Kalogiros said, “The unchecked flow of weapons onto our streets is a threat to every single person in NYC. These arrests serve as a notice to those who think they are above the law and can illegally traffic guns into our communities. The men and women of ATF NY will never waiver on our commitment to protect the public and to aggressively target firearms traffickers. The proliferation of illegal guns may be continuous, but law enforcement is united and strong. I thank all the members of the ATF NY Joint Firearms Task Force, HSI, NYPD and SDNY for their diligent work and tireless dedication to our shared public safety mission.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, “When investigating the gun violence that plagues our city, the NYPD and our law enforcement partners always look at how the illegal firearms arrived in the five boroughs and who is selling them here — then we devise and execute a strategy to dismantle those schemes. These latest arrests are a prime example of a great plan coming together. I commend everyone involved in this multi-agency effort, from our NYPD investigators to all of our colleagues at the ATF, HSI and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.”

According to the allegations in the complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From at least in or around September 2023, up to and including January 2024, the defendants worked together to obtain firearms in southern states, primarily Georgia, transport the firearms to New York via car or bus, and resell the firearms in, among other places, New York City (the “Gun Trafficking Scheme”). Over the course of the gun trafficking scheme, the defendants discussed the sale of approximately 40 firearms and successfully sold at least 13 firearms to a confidential informant (the “CI”).

Over the course of the gun trafficking scheme, Hampton and Chen communicated directly with the CI and discussed the potential sale of a variety of firearms including, among other things and as depicted below, semi-automatic handguns, handguns with extended magazines, at least one assault style handgun and at least one rifle:

On three occasions, Chen, Hampton and Hall met with the CI to sell firearms. On or about Oct. 16, 2023, Chen, Hampton and Hall sold one firearm to the CI in Staten Island. On or about Oct. 22, 2023, Chen and Hall sold the CI four firearms in Staten Island. And, on or about Jan. 30, Hampton and Hall were arrested in New York, while attempting to sell the CI eight firearms.

Oct. 16, 2023, Sale

Oct. 22, 2023, Sale

Jan. 30, 2024, Attempted Sale

Chen, 28, of Staten Island; Hall, 24, of Staten Island; and Hampton, 28, of Augusta, Georgia, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit gun trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of gun trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Chen and Hall are additionally charged with one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in gun trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI, ATF and the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Nicolas is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The complaint and the description of the complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

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

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A Little Rock man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for arson. U.S. District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky sentenced Trent Tyrone Smith, 50, late Monday to the maximum sentence allowable under the federal statute based upon both his crimes in this case and his history of violence. Smith was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

“A maximum sentence was sought in this case because both the victim and the public deserve to be safe from this defendant for as long as the law would allow,” said Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Given this defendant’s depraved crimes in the present case and his violent criminal history, we are grateful that the court agreed with our request for the maximum sentence and sentenced this defendant to 20 years in federal prison. Protecting victims and the public from violent criminals is our office’s number one priority, and so our office will not hesitate to continue to seek maximum prison sentences against criminals who use violence to destroy lives, businesses and our fundamental right to safety.”

On March 3, 2022, the Little Rock Fire Department (LRFD) responded to several calls for service at two separate locations of The Grind Coffee Bistro: Pleasant Ridge Town Center, Cantrell Road, and East 21st Street, both in Little Rock. At the Pleasant Ridge Town Center location, the LRFD responded to a water flow alarm but were unable to locate the source. A water flow alarm is indicative a fire suppression sprinkler system is activated. Shortly thereafter, a fire was reported at the intersection of East 21st and Commerce Streets. Upon arrival of the LRFD, they found the front door locked but observed The Grind Coffee Bistro on fire and smoke in the windows of the business.

The LRFD responded a second time to The Grind Coffee Bistro’s location in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center later in the evening. Upon arrival, they could see smoke emitting from the business. The firefighters were able to enter through the unlocked front door of the business and observed two fires in the kitchen and one in the storage room. While extinguishing the fire, they located an overturned can of gas in the bathroom, which was similar to the two 2-gallon Scepter-brand gas cans Smith purchased from Walmart’s East McCain Boulevard location.

An investigation revealed that the owner (victim) of The Grind Coffee Bistro had recently ended her relationship with Smith. On Feb. 26, 2022, Smith physically assaulted the victim. The following day, the victim changed the locks and Smith removed his personal belongings from the residence. On the same day as the fires, Smith attempted to contact the victim several times in the afternoon, and later that day, the juvenile son of the victim called his mother to advise her that their residence had been shot at, although it was later determined that an unknown object was used to strike the window. The victim returned to her residence at that time. 

Through the investigation, it was learned that spare keys to the business were missing. It was also learned that Smith, who is on parole, drove a gold Buick Lacrosse that is registered to his mother. In a review of surveillance footage from the business’s Cantrell location, Smith is observed at the location from 9:21 p.m. until 9:43 p.m. and approximately one minute later, the LRFD was notified of a water flow activation alarm. The fire department was dispatched to a fire at the East 21st Street location, approximately 19 minutes after Smith departed the Cantrell location.

Smith has a substantial and violent criminal history. He was convicted in 2016 in Saline County for aggravated assault on a family or household member and terroristic threatening in the first degree after he attacked a victim, threatened to kill her and drove a car into the residence, attempting to strike her. Smith fled to Kentucky where he fled from law enforcement at speeds of 110 miles per hour and ultimately almost struck multiple officers with his vehicle, for which he was convicted of first-degree wanton endangerment. Smith also had prior convictions for aggravated assault and second-degree battery for an incident where multiple officers were injured, battery in the third degree involving domestic violence and unlawfully possessing a firearm.

During the sentencing, the victim told the court how hard she worked to build these businesses as a single mother and spoke about the violence inflicted by Smith against her. The victim indicated that she hoped to protect others from Smith by coming forward to speak.

Smith was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 5, 2022, in a two-count indictment charging him with use of a fire/explosive to damage or destroy property with injury to persons. He pleaded guilty to one count on July 25, 2023, and the remaining count was dismissed.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

RAPID CITY, S.D. — U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, man convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The sentencing took place Jan. 25.  
 
Bradley Two Eagle, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 
 
Two Eagle was indicted for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person by a federal grand jury in September 2023. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 23, 2023. 
 
The conviction stems from Two Eagle, while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, knowingly being in possession of a Taurus International 9 mm caliber semi-automatic handgun in Rapid City in June 2023.  
 
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. 
 
Two Eagle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

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. 

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

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Khalil Dickens, 20, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy, eight counts of carjacking and aiding and abetting and four counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting.

Between approximately June 2023 and July 2023, Dickens and others allegedly took part in eight armed carjackings and nine additional robberies, in the city of Philadelphia, several of which involved the perpetrators physically assaulting, or even shooting at, their victims.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Philadelphia Police Department.

An indictment, information or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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