Several Flint Area Residents Arrested as Part of Violent Crime Initiative

June 22, 2010 - FLINT, MI—United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade today announced the arrest of 22 individuals on charges which include firearm offenses, drug trafficking, and witness tampering, as part of a violent crime initiative aimed at stopping the violence occurring in the Flint area. This three-month-long, multi-agency law enforcement initiative known as the “Flint Initiative for Violent Crime Enforcement Operations” (FIVE-O) is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Mayor Dayne Walling, City of Flint; Special Agent in Charge Thomas E. Brandon, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Special Agent in Charge Robert Corso, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Marshal Robert Grubbs, U.S. Marshal Service; Chief Alvern Lock, Flint Police Department (FPD); Colonel Eddie L. Washington, Jr., Director of the Michigan State Police; Detective/First Lieutanent, Mitch Krugielki, Flint Area Narcotics Group; and Sheriff Robert Pickell, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department (GCSD).

Today’s arrests are part of the Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods “Three Cities Initiative” announced in 2007, which awarded $1 million in federal grant funds over a three-year period to combat gun and gang violence in Flint, Saginaw, and Jackson. As part of the PSN initiative, over 150 cases involving Flint residents have been accepted for federal prosecution. To date, 95 cases defendants have been charged (48 from 2007-09 and 46 this year) with various gun and drug related offenses. Sentences for these defendants have ranged from 12 months to 215 months.

Ms. McQuade further commended the Michigan State Police for its leadership on the Flint PSN Task Force. Colonel Washington, Director of the Michigan State Police stated, “The Michigan State Police is committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners to improve the lives of citizens in Genesee County. This cooperative effort that resulted in the indictment of these felony suspects today is just the latest example of our ongoing commitment."

“This interagency operation has been our most extensive and most successful law enforcement effort to date targeting those individuals who pose a threat to the safety fo the community and quality of life in the City of Flint, said United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. “I commend the efforts of our law enforcement partners for their commitment and dedication of this initiative.”

Mayor Walling stated, “Residents of the city of Flint can feel safer today because some of the most dangerous criminals and their weapons are off the streets of our community.”

Special Agent in Charge Thomas E. Brandon said, “It is essential that we do all we can to stop violent criminal firearms and narcotics activity in the city of Flint and surrounding communities. The individuals arrested today are charged with committing violent offenses, the kind that has gripped this community with fear for far too long. ATF remains committed to working tirelessly in our effort to make Flint and the surrounding community safe for its citizens. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners, the Michigan State Police, Flint Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshal Service for their commitment and tenacity in working on the Flint Violent Crime Enforcement Initiative.”

Ms. McQuade further commended the Michigan State Police for its leadership on the Flint PSN Task Force. Colonel Washington, Director of the Michigan State Police stated, “ The Michigan State Police is committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners to improve the lives of citizens in Genesee County. This cooperative effort that resulted in the indictment of these felony suspects today is just the latest example of our ongoing commitment.”

Appearing in federal court in Flint before Magistrate Judge Michael Hluchaniuk today were the following Flint residents:

DEMITRUS CONERLY, 31, charged with drug trafficking;

MARELLE DYE, 22, charged with possession of a stolen firearm;

TRAVIS GALLOWAY,22, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;

LONELLE GREEN, 59, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;

ANTON GRIFFIN,31, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;

DAVID HART, 45, charged with felon in possession of a firearm & witness tampering

RICKY LONGENO HARVEY, 38, charged with felon in possession of a firearm

HAROLD HUNTER, 34, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;

TORIN JACKSON, 37, charged with firearms and drug trafficking offenses

DONDRIC JOHNSON, 31, charged with felon in possession of firearm & drug trafficking

JAMES ARTHUR KINNEY, 36, charged with felon in possession of a firearm;

HENRY LENOIR, JR., 31, charged with felon in possession & drug trafficking

JAVONTE MCDONALD, 18, charged with possession of a sawed-off firearm

ANTHONY REDD, 23, charged with drug trafficking offense

KEONTE SADLER, 24, charged with drug trafficking offense

RAMOND THOMPSON, 30, charged with felon in possession

RON VLIET, 41, charged with felon in possession of firearm and ammunition

BRYNDON WEATHERSBY,22, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition

KEITH WHITEHORN, 37, charged with drug trafficking offense

Arrested in May was DEMETRIUS GIBBS, 20, of Flint on firearms and drug trafficking offenses. DEANGELO TALTON was arraigned on June 8, 2010, on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

MARQUAL AMERSON, 23, who is charged with firearms and drug trafficking offenses and LEJUAN GRANDY, 26, who is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, both residents of Flint, are scheduled to appear for arraignment on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. DEONTA MONTRELL HILL, 22, DARRYL NIGEL JOHNSON, 36 DANDRICK LEGARDYE, 31, and ANTHONY WILLIAMS, 20, all residents of Flint are in the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections and will be brought in for an arraignment within the next 30 days.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. It will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.