Lexington Man Charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on August 3, 2012, an indictment was unsealed charging John Francisco Lastra, 28, of Lexington, Nebraska, with being a felon in possession of a firearm in May 2010.

The charge carries a possible penalty of up to 10 years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release following the prison term of up to three years.

Lastra appeared in federal court in Lincoln on August 6, 2012. He was ordered held without bond pending a detention hearing set for August 7, 2012. Trial is scheduled to begin in Lincoln on October 9, 2012.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Lexington Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Hells Angels Members and Associates Arrested on 91-Count Federal RICO Indictment

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles and Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that 19 individuals were arrested today after the return of a 91-count indictment charging members and associates of the Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy (RICO-18 U.S.C. §1962), narcotics violations (21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846), Hobbs Act robbery (18 U.S.C. §1951), money laundering (18 U.S.C. §1956), and firearm violations [18 U.S.C. §§ 922 and 924; 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d), 5845(a)(7), and 5871]. Those arrested were Daniel Eugene Bifield, a/k/a Diamond Dan (Leesville); Mark William Baker, a/k/a Lightning (Lancaster); David Channing Oiler, a/k/a Gravel Dave (Lancaster); Bruce James Long, a/k/a Bruce-Bruce (West Columbia); Richard Thrower, a/k/a Little Mark, Rat (Lancaster); David Pryor, a/k/a Yard Owl (York); James Frederick Keach, Jr., a/k/a Big Fred (Pelion); Frank Enriquez, Jr., a/k/a Big Frank (Rock Hill); Donald Boersma, a/k/a Brooklyn Donnie (Clover); Lisa Ellen Bifield, a/k/a Lisa Ellen Meyers, Lisa Ellen Stockton (Leesville); Johanna Looper, a/k/a JoJo (York); Kerry Chitwood (Gastonia, North Carolina); Carlos Hernandez (Charlotte, North Carolina); Ronald Dean Byrum, Jr., a/k/a Big Ron (Gastonia, North Carolina); Trent Allen Brown (West Columbia); Bruce Ranson Wilson, a/k/a Diesel (Swansea); Thomas McManus Plyler, a/k/a Uncle Tom (Rock Hill); Jamie Hobbs Long (Lancaster); and Somying Anderson, a/k/a Ying (West Columbia).

The arrest warrants were served along with the execution of 23 search warrants in North and South Carolina. During today’s operation, law enforcement seized methamphatamine, cocaine, marijuana, pills, and approximately 100 firearms, including two automatic machine guns. Special Agent in Charge David Thomas stated, “The significance of the extensive and long-term investigative efforts that resulted in the arrests today represent the FBI’s continuing commitment to the dismantling of organized criminal organizations. By working in a joint environment with federal, state, and local counterparts, we send a clear message that such pervasive criminal activities will not be tolerated.”

These arrests follow a two-year interagency investigation by the South Carolina Hells Angels Task Force (SCHATF). Assisting in the investigation and today’s operation were the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Columbia and Charlotte Field Divisions; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Lexington County Sheriff’s Department; Lexington Police Department; Rock Hill Police Department; York County Sheriff’s Office; Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office; State Law Enforcement Division; Gastonia, Police Department; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department; Gaston County Sheriff’s Office; and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles commended the inter-agency cooperation, saying, “Today’s arrests and seizures are an important step in our ongoing fight against criminal gangs operating in South Carolina. This investigation is also another example of what can be accomplished through a close partnership among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.” The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay N. Richardson.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Two Escapees From VOA Halfway House

Mansfield, OH – Early this morning members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Richland County Division and Officers from the Mansfield Police Department arrested Shawn Kouns, age 39, in an apartment on

South Home Road

in Mansfield. Yesterday morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Richland County Division and Officers from the Marion Police Department arrested Shawn Stansberry, age 22, at a residence in the 500 block of

Davids Street

in Marion, Ohio.

Both Kouns and Stansberry were charged with felony escape after walking away from the Mansfield Volunteers of America (VOA) Halfway House on March 2, 2011. Kouns and Stansberry were both finishing out their state sentences at VOA after being placed there by the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Kouns is also facing a sex offender registration violation.

Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Deserto stated, “I applaud the work of all the officers involved in these investigations and arrests. The partnerships of all agencies involved is what led to the successful apprehension of both of these escapees.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies: Ashland Police Department, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Municipal Probation, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Butler Police Department, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Fugitive After 9 Years on the Run

Mansfield, Ohio – Yesterday morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Richland County Division and Officers from the Mansfield Police Department arrested David Murray, age 47, at a residence on the 100 block of

Miller Street

in Mansfield. Murray was wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a bench warrant after he failed to appear for sentencing on an escape case in

Richland County Common Pleas Court

on May 6, 2002. Murray was also wanted on misdemeanor charges by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Mansfield Police Department since August 2002.

Murray fled to California and on March 3, 2004 the California Department of Corrections and Community Services issued a warrant for Murray for a parole violation on a fraud case. Murray, also a convicted sex offender, is also facing charges in California for failure to provide change of address, as required by California law. After fleeing California, Murray was hiding out in the Fort Myers, Florida area where he managed to elude capture by utilizing several alias names, social security numbers and dates of birth. On February 6, 2011 Murray provided another alias to law enforcement when he was arrested for driving without a license by the Fort Myers Police Department. Shortly after Murray was released on bond, authorities discovered his true identity and developed information that Murray had fled Florida and was currently in the Mansfield area.

Task Force Officers initiated a fugitive investigation in Mansfield to locate Murray and yesterday morning the investigation led them to a residence on the 100 block of

Miller Street

. Contact was made with the occupants of the residence and Murray was arrested in the kitchen area where he attempted to give an alias name when questioned about his identity. Shortly thereafter, Murray admitted to his true identity and was transported to the Richland County Jail.

Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Deserto stated, “It always brings a feeling of great satisfaction to capture a fugitive that has been on the run for many years. Great work by all the officers involved in this cold case!”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland Police Department, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Butler Police Department, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.