ATF National Response Team to Investigate Nelson’s Speed Shop Fire

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been activated by request from the Michigan State Police to investigate a fire at the Nelson’s Speed Shop, 4566 South Greenville Road, Greenville, Mich. On June 22, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a fire was reported to the Montcalm Township Fire Department. Montcalm Fire reported heavy flames through the roof of the structure upon arrival. The structure and contents are a total loss, the structure occupies approximately 50,000 square feet and the total estimated loss exceeds $5,000,000.

“ATF will utilize all resources available and necessary to help determine the cause of this fire,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Arron Graves. “Our activation of the NRT speaks to the seriousness of which we hold this fire. ATF along with our partners will work tirelessly to determine the cause of this fire.” This is the 10th activation of the NRT in Fiscal Year 2012 and number 731 since the inception of the team in 1978. The NRT includes 20 team members and arrived on scene today.

ATF is investigating this fire jointly with the Michigan State Police, the Greenville Department of Public Safety, the Montcalm Township Fire Department and the Montcalm County Sheriff Department. In addition to ATF NRT members, ATF is utilizing special agent investigators from the ATF Grand Rapids office as well as special agent’s from the Detroit Field Division.

In 1978, ATF developed the NRT to bring its expertise to federal, state and local investigators in meeting the challenges faced at the scenes of significant arson and explosive incidents. The NRT consists of four teams organized geographically to cover the United States. Each team can respond within 24 hours to assist state and local law enforcement/fire service personnel in onsite investigations.

In addition to investigating hundreds of large fire scenes, the NRT has also been activated to scenes such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City federal building bombing and the Sept. 11, 2001, Pentagon crash site, as well as blats at explosives and ammunition manufacturing plants, legal fireworks factories and illegal explosive device manufacturing operations.

Other local activations of the NRT include the August 2010 fire at the Metro PCS store located on Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, which severely injured seven Detroit Firefighters and the May 2010 Best Textile Services fire in Warren, Mich.

The teams are each composed of veteran special agents who have post blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise; forensic chemists; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; accelerant detection canines; explosives detection canines; intelligence support; computer forensic support and forensic audit support. These teams work alongside State and local officers in reconstructing the scene, identifying the seat of the blast or origin of the fire, conducting interviews, and sifting through debris to obtain evidence related to bombing/arson incidents.

Further complementing the team’s efforts are technical, legal and intelligence advisors. Moreover, a fleet of fully–equipped response vehicles strategically located throughout the United States is available to provide logistical support.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

Members and Associates of South Side Flint Street Gang Charged with Racketeering and Other Acts of Violence

Multiple state and federal charges against 22 Flint-area men were announced today by United States Attorney Barbara McQuade and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

U.S. Attorney McQuade and Genesee County Prosecutor Leyton were joined in the announcement by FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena; ATF Special Agent in Charge David McCain, Special Agent in Charge Robert Corso, United States Drug Enforcement Administration; City of Flint Police Chief Alvern Lock; Michigan State Police Captain Rick Arnold; and Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.

A 34-count indictment, unsealed in Flint today, charges 12 individuals, who are alleged to be members and associates of the Howard Boys street gang, with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy and also includes charges of murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, distribution of drugs, and various federal firearms violations, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. An additional 10 individuals were charged by the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office with crimes including murder, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with intent to murder.

Named in the federal indictment were:

■DECLYDE P. BREWTON, a.k.a. BG, Baby Gangsta

■WILLIE J. CHAMBERS, a.k.a. Smalls, Mally

■SEAN V. CUNNINGHAM, a.k.a. Lil Sean, Lil Jig, Lil Hitman

■JAMIL CURETON, a.k.a. LB, Boo Boo

■MALCOLM J. EVANS, a.k.a. Lil Malc, Stay Strap

■MARKUS G. EVANS, a.k.a. FA, K

■LEON GILLS, a.k.a. LeLe, Ahki, Gunman, Leges

■CARVELL J. GORDON, a.k.a. 6-9, Vell, C-Vell

■ALEXANDRA L. NORWOOD, a.k.a. Al

■JOHNATHAN L. OLDHAM, a.k.a. John Boy, JB, LJ

■JATIMOTHY E. WALKER, a.k.a. JT, Lil Money, Jet, J-Money

■JONATHAN E. WALKER, a.k.a. J-Nutty

The following individuals have been charged in state court with various related violations of state law announced Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton:

■PAKI L. BONNER

■TARON M. BROWN

■KEVIN L. BUIE

■JAMEL O. CHEEKS

■JAMES M. ELBERT

■RODRICK T. JACKSON

■VINCENT T. MCGLORY

■DARRYL D. SCOTT

■EDDIE L. WILLIAMS

■CHARLES T. ORR

The federal indictment and related state charges are the result of a multi-year investigation conducted by the Genesee County Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is comprised of special agents from the FBI and officers from the City of Flint, troopers from the Michigan State Police, and deputies from the Genesee County Sheriff Department. Working closely with the task force during the investigation were special agents from the ATF and DEA as well as members of the Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG).

As alleged in the indictment, the Howard Boys, also known as the “Hot Boys,” “Howard Block,” and “Murda Ville,” was a criminal enterprise which operated on the south side of Flint, in and around the Howard Estates public housing complex, since approximately 2002. Members of the enterprise and their associates are alleged to have committed acts of violence in order to maintain control over and to protect their territory and to further the members’ and associates’ distribution of controlled substances. Members and associates of the enterprise are also alleged to have used threats, possessed weapons, and committed assaults, attempted murders, and murders to promote their authority, reputation and standing in the enterprise.

The federal indictment charges all 12 defendants with a racketeering conspiracy, which includes the commission of three murders, five attempted murders, and numerous acts of drug dealing. Additionally, individual defendants have been charged with committing murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm by a felon, dealing in firearms without a license, and distributions of cocaine base. The indictment outlines a number of specific criminal allegations relating to crimes on the south side of Flint attributed to the gang’s activity.

“We are hopeful that this prosecution will restore safety and security in the neighborhood where this gang operated,” McQuade said. “We also want criminals to know that if they commit crimes with guns in Flint, they will be prosecuted federally, where the sentences are long and there is no parole.”

“We in law enforcement will not concede to the criminal element in our never-ending pursuit of safety and security for our citizens,” said Prosecutor Leyton.

“Working together, local, state, and federal authorities can make significant progress in the fight against crime. The next step in the process is for prosecutors to hold these individuals accountable in a court of law,” Leyton said.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Arena stated, “This dangerous street gang was responsible for numerous acts of violence that robbed citizens of their safety and sense of security. These indictments are the result of countless hours of hard work, and serve as a reminder we will be relentless in bringing these criminals to justice. We remain dedicated to dismantling these criminal enterprises together with the assistance of our task force partners.”

The federal government’s case is being prosecuted by Flint branch of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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

Fifteen Individuals Indicted in Large-Scale Drug Conspiracy Case

Fifteen individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on federal charges, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced. Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso, Drug Enforcement Administration; Special Agent in Charge David McCain, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

Indicted were Orlando Ricardo Gordon, 32, of Franklin; Vince Jerome Shivers, 42, of Southfield; Derrick Arnold Terry, 51, of Detroit; Danta Shamu-Parker Johnson, 34, of Detroit; Darren Davon Terry, 35, of Detroit; Trenton Jordan Obamwonyi, 27, of Detroit; Tamiko Mel-Lang Hodo, 36, of Detroit; Anthony Wayne Hall, 46, of Detroit; Anton Jamaill Harris, 32, of Detroit; Ervin Kenneth Vincent, 24, of Inkster; Darnell Darryl Easterling, 48, of Detroit; Courtney Deon Shafi Strickland, 36, of Detroit; Benjamin Isaac Carter, 39, of Detroit; Erik Lee Ross, 34, of Sterling Heights; and Allen Corey Terry, 47, of Farmington Hills.

As alleged in the indictment, the conspiracy lasted for years, dating back to 2008, and involved in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, five kilograms of cocaine, and 280 grams of crack cocaine. Some of the defendants are also charged with being felons illegally possessing firearms. The narcotics trafficking conspiracy carries possible sentences of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine, and the felon in possession charges carry possible sentences of up to 10 years of prison.

The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including DEA, ATF, FBI, and IRS. The investigation included seizures of large sums of U.S. currency, including a seizure of more than $500,000 from a residence in Franklin, Michigan, large quantities of drugs, including a seizure of over 1,000 kilograms/2,200 pounds of marijuana, and multiple firearms.

United States Attorney McQuade stated that, “Large-scale drug trafficking and accompanying gun crimes create danger and fear in our neighborhoods. The coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies helped to dismantle this conspiracy.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge David McCain said, “Narcotics trafficking along with violent firearm activity destroys the families and neighborhoods in our communities. ATF along with its state, local, and federal partners will continue to aggressively pursue those violent individuals and organizations that cripple our communities with crime.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso said, “Today’s arrests are significant. These individuals directed a major marijuana and cocaine trafficking ring that operated throughout southeast Michigan. The dismantling of this organization has halted the flow of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs into metropolitan Detroit. This investigation exemplifies the strong collaborative effort that exists between DEA and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and is a positive step towards making our community safer for everyone.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena said, “Narcotics trafficking continues to plague this region and directly contributes to violence on our streets. The FBI will continue to partner with federal, state, and local law enforcement to address these issues.”

IRS Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez said, “This indictment illustrates the seriousness behind prosecuting drug trafficking crimes. The role of IRS-CI is to take the profit out of these illegal organizations. Drug dealers pollute our neighborhoods with no regret as their actions are only fueled by greed. The seizure of their illegal proceeds, drugs, and weapons brings us one step closer to justice.”

The Detroit Police Department, the Franklin Police Department, the Troy Police Department, the Novi Police Department, the Warren Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service also assisted in the investigation of the case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

ATF Offers $10,000 Reward

Investigators Seek Information Regarding Car Explosion

DETROIT — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the car explosion that occurred Tuesday at approximately 5:40 p.m. near East Elm Avenue and Interstate Highway 75, Monroe, Mich., located about 35 miles southwest of Detroit.

A 42–year–old male and two children ages 10 and 13 were seriously injured in the explosion.

ATF, the Monroe City Police Department, and Michigan State Police worked throughout the night examining the crime scene. ATF special agents and local and state detectives are analyzing evidence collected and are actively pursuing investigative leads. Investigators are seeking information from the public that may assist in solving the case.

“There is no tolerance for these revolting acts in our community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division S. Robin Shoemaker. “ATF, along with its partners, is committed to seeking justice for those innocent victims who were at the center of such a horrendous crime.”

Anyone having information should call the ATF Detroit Field Division at (313) 202–3400 or the ATF Tipline at 1-888-ATF BOMB (283-2662). Callers can remain anonymous.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for investigating violations of federal explosives laws and criminal explosives acts resulting in violent crimes that destroy lives and thousands of dollars in property annually.

ATF has the unique ability to determine cause and origin of explosives acts under the most challenging and complex circumstances due to its highly trained certified explosives specialists.

U.S. Marshals Capture One of Quebec's Most Wanted Fugitives in Florida

Washington – An intense manhunt has ended with the capture of John Boulachanis, a fugitive wanted on an international level. Boulachanis was apprehended in Miami Thursday.

Boulachanis is the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the request of Canadian authorities for his role in a brutal slaying that occurred in Quebec, Canada, in 1997.

Boulachanis was also being sought by Canadian law enforcement for criminal charges of fraud, arson, narcotics trafficking, conspiracy and weapons offenses. Franklin County, Va. holds an outstanding felony fugitive warrant for Boulachanis as well, issued for three counts of obtaining money by false pretenses.

In April 2011, INTERPOL Ottawa requested the assistance of INTERPOL Washington in locating Boulachanis. According to the Surete’ du Quebec Homicide Squad, Boulachanis had been previously located in New Jersey in 2009, but fled before investigators could make an appropriate identification and arrest.

The case was referred to the INTERPOL Washington Fugitive Division after having been made a priority by the USMS and INTERPOL Headquarters in Lyon, France, in response to an earlier international fugitive initiative entitled “INFRA-RED.” Agents assigned to the INTERPOL Washington Fugitive Division from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Pinellas County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

“The arrest of Boulachanis shows that, no matter how far this fugitive ran, he couldn’t escape the coordinated, international effort to apprehend him,” said Geoff Shank, Assistant Director of the Investigative Operations Division of the U.S. Marshals Service.  “I thank our law enforcement partners both here and in Canada for their assistance in bringing this dangerous criminal to justice.”

In May 2011, investigators were able to ascertain Boulachanis and an accomplice had assumed multiple identities supported by fraudulent documents.  He has evaded capture by assembling a complex labyrinth of intentional disinformation, telephone numbers, addresses, financial accounts and postal boxes in Canada and the United States.

On Thursday, at the request of INTERPOL Washington and the U.S. Marshals Service Investigative Operations Division, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Southern Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Miami captured Boulachanis as he landed a small aircraft at an airfield in Miami. He was in possession of a fraudulent diplomatic passport, a fraudulent pilot’s license and an unlicensed semi-automatic weapon. The Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement took his accomplice into custody.

Boulachanis is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service awaiting extradition to Canada where he faces life in prison.

The arrest of Boulachanis was the result of the combined efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service Investigative Operations Division, Southern Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, Western District of Virginia, Jacksonville Fugitive Task Force, and the New York and New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force; the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office; the Surete’ du Quebec Homicide Squad; the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs; the Franklin County (Virginia) Sheriff and Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia; the Michigan State Police; the Nebraska State Police; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the U.S. Coast Guard; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; INTERPOL Ottawa; and INTERPOL Washington.