Federal Law Enforcement Initiative Leads to Charges Against Seven Baton Rouge Men for Firearms and Drug Trafficking Offenses

 United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin has announced recent federal grand jury indictments leading to the arrest of seven Baton Rouge men on various firearms and drug trafficking offenses.  The federal arrests all occurred on October 13, 2020, and were part of a coordinated federal interagency initiative to address narcotics trafficking and violent crime.  Charged in separate indictments and arrested as part of this initiative were the following individuals, all of Baton Rouge:

Tyjiri Anderson, age 21, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.  On September 7, 2020, Anderson possessed a Zastava model PAP M92PV, 7.62x39 caliber pistol, 150 rounds of Blazer .40 caliber S&W ammunition, and 25 rounds of Wolf 7.62x39 caliber ammunition.

Benjamin Fields, age 20, for receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment.  On September 17, 2020, Fields received a Palmetto State Armory Model PA-15, 556 caliber pistol while under indictment for a felony.

Albert Stewart III, age 26, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  On August 29, 2020, Stewart possessed a Smith & Wesson Model SD9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Trayneil T. Gaines, age 25, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  On August 17, 2020, Gaines possessed a Spike’s Tactical Model ST15, 300 caliber rifle.

Charles Anthony Brown, age 21, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  On  June 26, 2020, Brown possessed a Glock Model 36, .45 caliber pistol.

Marvin D. White, age 37, and Lorenzo D. Cain, age 27, for conspiracy to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute heroin.  Throughout April 2020, White and Cain committed these various narcotics trafficking offenses. 

Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime.  It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense.  The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime. 

These matters are being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with critical assistance from the Louisiana State Police, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and the Baton Rouge Police Department.  These matters are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Morris and Paul J. Pugliese.

NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury.  The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.