U.S.
Attorney’s Office, ATF, APD, U.S. Marshals, and Fulton County DA’s Office join
efforts in “Operation Trapdoor”
ATLANTA — Federal and state law enforcement
officials today announced the takedown of a long–term storefront sting
operation designed to focus on illegal gun trafficking in Atlanta, which
resulted in the arrest of over 60 defendants and federal charges against 40 of
those defendants on federal firearms and drug trafficking charges.
The undercover operation targeted gang
members, drug dealers and convicted felons who were illegally possessing or
selling firearms. The case was announced at a press conference held this
afternoon at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Atlanta by Sally
Quillian Yates, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Scott
Sweetow, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Gabriel Banks, Fulton County Deputy
District Attorney; Deputy Chief John Dalton of the Atlanta Police Department;
and Chris Atwater, Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Northern
District of Georgia.
Meanwhile, federal defendants indicted
as part of the operation appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge
E. Clayton Scofield III. The defendants arrested on state charges will make
appearances in state court at a later date.
United States Attorney Yates said, “This
was a proactive approach by law enforcement to get guns out of the hands of
criminals and immediately make our neighborhoods safer as a result. ATF and APD
focused on communities most affected by violent criminals and took nearly 300
guns from the hands of criminals. The defendants thought it was business as usual,
but today they discovered that this law enforcement community is acting
together to disrupt the flow of guns to criminals.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Scott
Sweetow said, “As the criminal element become more sophisticated in their
trade, so must the tactics employed by the law enforcement community. Long-term
undercover investigations like the ‘Operation Trap Door’ storefront are a
powerful tool in targeting armed violent criminals. This 14-month investigation
culminating with today’s arrests show the powerful partnership between ATF and
the Atlanta Police Department.”
Fulton County District Attorney Paul
Howard Jr. said, “Gangs, drugs and guns remain a serious problem in Fulton
County. We are grateful to the federal authorities for their continued
assistance in combating this criminal activity. Because of our joint efforts,
Fulton County is a safer community.”
Atlanta Police Chief George N. Turner
said, “I’m proud of the participation by the brave Atlanta police officers who
played a key role in this critical operation. Just as importantly, I’m proud of
our partnership with ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals, and
the Fulton District Attorney. Only when we come together in a sophisticated
operation of this magnitude will we be able to make a true impact on crimes
that are equally broad in scope.”
United States Marshal Beverly Harvard
said, “Gun violence continues to be a significant issue in our communities and
law enforcement must use varied approaches to address the issue. This is yet
another example of the success that can be achieved when federal, state and
local law enforcement and prosecutors join forces in our efforts to get
criminal elements out of our communities.”
According to United States Attorney
Yates, the indictment and evidence in court: The storefront operation, called
“Operation Trapdoor,” featured an undercover business located on Metropolitan
Parkway in Atlanta that operated as a cellphone and vehicle alteration
business. Undercover agents, posing as store managers and employees, learned
about people in the area who were trafficking in firearms and drugs, and
weapons traffickers, drug traffickers and convicted felons began approaching
the undercover agents to sell guns and drugs.
The storefront was outfitted with audio
and video recording equipment that monitored and preserved all the
conversations and interactions between the agents and the defendants. All
together, agents purchased 270 firearms–45 of which were stolen–as well as illegal
narcotics. Nearly all of the defendants indicted on federal charge are felons,
and under federal law it is a criminal offense for a felon to possess a
firearm.
In some instances the defendants told
the undercover agents information that helped solve other crimes. For example,
one defendant told the agents that he and others attempted to break into a
South Georgia prison to sell contraband and that his partner was caught by law
enforcement. That information was turned over to local law enforcement and that
defendant will face additional charges in Telfair County, Georgia for this
crime. Among those indicted on federal and state charges, 27 of the defendants
sold contraband to the undercover agents while they were under state probation
or parole.
Contraband taken off the streets during
the operation include:
•• 3, 906 rounds of ammunition
•• 205 handguns
•• 33 Rifles
•• 25 Shotguns
•• 7 Sawed-off Shotguns
•• 2 National Firearms Act Silencers
•• 2 Ballistic Vests
•• 3 Smoke Grenades
•• 12,339 grams of Marijuana with a
street value of $40,800.00
•• 633 grams of Cocaine with a street
value of $69,630.00
•• 961 grams of Crack Cocaine with a
street value of $105,710.00
•• 402 grams of Heroin with a street
value of $77,990.00
•• 144 grams of Ecstasy/MDMA with a
street value of $7200.00
•• 174 grams of Methamphetamine with a
street value of $26,100.00
•• 41 pills of Oxycodone with a street
value of $2,050.00
•• 39 pills of Xanax with a street value
of $780.00
The federal defendants were indicted on
charges ranging from possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession
of an unregistered sawed–off firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful
dealing in firearms without a license, and possession of controlled substances
with intent to distribute.
This is the second “storefront” type
sting operation that federal and state law enforcement officers have conducted
in the past year. On June 29, 2011, agents took down “Operation ATL Blaze,”
during which agents operated an undercover smoke shop on Campbellton Road in
Southwest Atlanta, and arrested 49 defendants on charges ranging from
conspiring to commit a home invasion robbery, possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon, possession of an unregistered sawed–off rifle, possession of a
stolen firearm, and unlawful dealing in firearms without a license. In
Operation ATL Blaze, agents seized 257 handguns, 60 rifles, 46 shotguns, and 10
sawed–off shotguns. Of the 35 defendants charged federally, 31 have been
convicted, while charges remain pending against two defendants, one defendant
has not been arrested, and the charges against one defendant were dismissed.
Those indicted by federal grand juries
and arrested today, or already in custody, and their charges include:
•Mohammed Bah 38, Atlanta, GA.
•6 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
an Illegal Alien,
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Possess with
Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base
•8 Counts of Possession of Marijuana
with Intent to Distribute
•3 Counts of Possession with Intent to
Distribute Cocaine Base
•2 Counts of Possession with Intent to
Distribute Cocaine
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm
During a Drug Trafficking Crime
•1 Count of Possession and Sale of a
Stolen Firearm
•* maximum statutory penalty of Life
•Elizer Owens, 20, Atlanta, GA.
•2 Counts Possession of a Firearm During
a Drug Trafficking Crime,
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Possess with
Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base
•2 Counts of Possession with Intent to
Distribute Cocaine Base
•1 Count of Possession of Marijuana with
Intent to Distribute
•1 Count of Possession and Sale of a
Stolen Firearm
•6 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
a Convicted Felon
•* maximum statutory penalty of Life
•Hagie Tunkara, 31, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by
an Illegal Alien,
•2 Counts of Possession of Cocaine with
the Intent to Distribute
•2 Counts of Possession of Marijuana
with the Intent to Distribute
•* maximum statutory penalty of 20 years
•Andrew Mccord, III, 27, Clayton County,
GA.
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Deal in
Firearms Without a License,
•2 Counts of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License
•* maximum statutory penalty of 5 years
•Brenton Wise, 24, Clayton County, GA.
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Deal in
Firearms Without a License,
•11 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
a Convicted Felon,
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm with
an Obliterated Serial Number
•1 Count of Possession and Sale of a
Stolen Firearm
•4 Counts of Possession of Cocaine Base
with Intent to Distribute
•8 Counts of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License
•1 Count of Possession of an
Unregistered Short Barreled Firearm
•* maximum statutory penalty of 20 years
•Mack Patterson, Jr., 29, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Deal in
Firearms Without a License
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon,
•1 Count of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Nathaniel Andrews, 23, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Deal in
Firearms Without a License
•4 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
a Convicted Felon
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm with
an Obliterated Serial Number
•4 Counts of Possession with Intent to
Distribute Cocaine Base
•8 Counts of Possession with Intent to
Distribute Marijuana
•1 Count Possession of a Firearm During
a Drug Trafficking Crime
•* maximum statutory penalty of Life
•Cornelius Pierce, 20, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Deal in
Firearms Without a License
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm in
During a Drug Trafficking Crime
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm with
an Obliterated Serial Number
•1 Count of Possession with Intent to
Distribute Marijuana
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by
an Individual under Indictment
•* maximum statutory penalty of Life
•Jarod Gore, 23, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count of Conspiracy to Deal in
Firearms Without a License
•1 Count of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License,
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Ryan Horton, 22, Clayton County, GA.
•5 Counts of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License,
•2 Counts of Possession and Sale of a
Stolen Firearm
•1 Count of Possession of Cocaine Base
with Intent to Distribute
•* maximum statutory penalty of 20 years
•Charles Carter, 34, Cobb County, GA.
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon,
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Will Villarreal, 25, Cobb County, GA.
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon,
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Mark G. Young, 43, Cobb County, GA.
•1 Count of Possession of a Destructive
Device
•1 Count of Distribution of Explosive
Material
•1 Count of Transportation of Explosive
Material
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Adrian Stephens, 25, Cobb County, GA.
•1 Count of Distribution of Explosive
Material
•1 Count of Transportation of Explosive
Material
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Andrew Benford, 27, Atlanta, GA
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon,
•
* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Quintavious Render, 23, Atlanta, GA
•3 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
a Convicted Felon
•1 Count of Possession of an
Unregistered Sawed–off Firearm,
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Travis Yarbrough, 26, Atlanta, GA
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon,
•2 Counts of Possession of Marijuana
with Intent to Distribute
•2 Counts of Possession of Cocaine Base
with Intent to Distribute
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm in
Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
•* maximum statutory penalty of Life
•Brian Bell, 26, Clayton County, GA
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by
an Individual under Indictment,
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm with
an Obliterated Serial Number
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•Diontaye “Blue” Jordan, 30, hometown
not yet identified.
•1 Count of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License,
•3 Counts of Possession of Cocaine Base
with Intent to Distribute
•7 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
a Convicted Felon
•1 Count of Possession of
Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
•* maximum statutory penalty of 20 years
•Howard Craig, 22, Atlanta, GA
•5 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by
a Convicted Felon
•1 Count of Possession of Cocaine Base
with Intent to Distribute
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm in
Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime,
•* maximum statutory penalty of Life
•Dwayne Fields, 22, Clayton County, GA
•1 Count of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License,
•1 Count of False Statement During
Purchase of a Firearm
•* maximum statutory penalty of 5 years
•Khalif Jackson, 24, Atlanta, GA
•1 Count of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License,
•* maximum statutory penalty of 5 years
•Mosezell Kelly, 23, College Park, GA.
•1 Count of Dealing in Firearms Without
a License
•* maximum statutory penalty of 5 years
•Christopher “Flaco” Montes, 22, Clayton
County, GA
•1 Count of Possession of Cocaine with
Intent to Distribute
•1 Count of Possession of Methamphetamine
with Intent to Distribute
•1 Count of Possession of an
Unregistered Saw–off Firearm
•* maximum statutory penalty of 20 years
•David “Doper” Salas, 21, Clayton
County, GA
•3 Counts of Possession of
Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
•1 Count of Possession of an
Unregistered Saw–off Firearm
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon
•* maximum statutory penalty of 20 years
•Antwan Lucas, 34, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count of Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon,
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
•William Wilder, 31, Atlanta, GA.
•1 Count Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon.
•* maximum statutory penalty of 10 years
Members of the public are reminded that
the indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of
the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendants’s
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by
Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
and the Atlanta Police Department. Assistance in this case has been provided by
U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorneys
Stephanie Gabay–Smith, Francey Hakes, and Special Assistant United States
Attorneys Tulani Washington and Luke Jones are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact
Sally Quillian Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L Alexander,
Executive Assistant United States Attorney. The Internet address for the
HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is
www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
For further information please contact
the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov
or (404) 581–6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is
www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
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