Baltimore Career Offender Exiled to Over 12 Years in Prison for Drug Distribution

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Langston Jackson, age 30, of Baltimore, today to 151 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein

According to Jackson’s plea agreement, on October 10, 2013, investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Baltimore Police Department executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence in Baltimore. Jackson was found at the location and a search recovered narcotics packaged for street level distribution and narcotics packaging materials. A search of Jackson’s vehicle recovered a large sum of cash. After being Mirandized and waiving his rights, Jackson told investigators that he was storing cocaine at another residence in Baltimore. Later that day, agents searched that location and found in a room used by Jackson, approximately 25 grams of cocaine, a large sum cash and additional narcotics packaging materials, including three digital scales.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Clinton J. Fuchs and Scott A. Lemmon, who prosecuted the case.

Apopka Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing Firearms

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Jermal Marquis Chambers (26, Apopka) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence included 10 years for possessing the firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and 5 years for the possession by a convicted felon offense, to be served consecutively. The Court also ordered Chambers to forfeit 10 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition that he possessed. Chambers pleaded guilty on March 31, 2014. He was sentenced on July 25, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, on May 7, 2013, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded to the scene of a shooting in Apopka in which multiple attackers used multiple firearms to shoot at several victims. Evidence retrieved at the scene included .40 caliber, 9 mm, and .45 caliber shell casings. One victim was severely injured with a gunshot wound to his pelvis.

During the afternoon of May 7, 2013, unknown assailants shot at Chambers and his uncle outside an apartment complex. No one was injured during the incident.

Late in the evening on May 9, 2013, OCSO responded to another scene of a shooting in Apopka. Multiple attackers had fired bullets into a house where Chambers lived. A subsequent examination of the residence revealed approximately 68 bullet holes in the structure, along with fired cartridges from at least three firearms of different calibers near the structure.

During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, agents found several canvas bags holding a stash of cocaine and related drug paraphernalia, seven firearms, including a .223 caliber assault rifle, a nine millimeter pistol, two .38 caliber pistols, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, and a .40 caliber pistol, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition for these firearms. A forensic examination of shell casings recovered from the first shooting incident on May 7, 2013 revealed that they were fired from the assault rifle found in Chambers’ home. DNA evidence also established that Chambers had held the .22 caliber rifle.

Chambers was previously convicted of felony burglary in 2006 and was, therefore, prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce S Ambrose.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy.  United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Trevor Velinor, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Man Convicted of Two Attempted Armed Robberies Faces Minimum of 47 Years in Federal Prison

Memphis, TN – Robert Drew, 57, of Oakland, TN, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury on two counts of robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce (Hobbs Act), two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III and ATF Nashville Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Fulton.

According to the facts alleged in the indictment and revealed during the four-day trial, on December 7, 2012 Drew used a black Rossi .38 caliber revolver in an attempt to rob the KFC restaurant located at 8995 Highway 64, Memphis. He was wearing a blue ski mask and a blue flannel-style jacket. When the cashier fled to the back of the store, Drew left the restaurant empty-handed.

Later that evening, Drew walked into the Hickory Center Market located at 3305 Highway 64, Eads, TN. Wearing the same blue ski mask and blue flannel-style jacket, he pointed the Rossi .38 caliber revolver at the clerk and demanded money. The frightened clerk ran to the back of the store and locked himself in an office. Drew left empty-handed and was apprehended minutes later by officers with the Oakland Police Department hiding in a wooded area within 2000 feet of the store wearing the same blue mask and jacket.

During a search of the area where the defendant was found, Oakland police recovered the Rossi .38 caliber revolver used during the attempted robberies. Both the clerk at the Hickory Center Market and the cashier from KFC testified that Drew was wearing the same clothing as the robber and video surveillance footage from both stores confirmed that to be the case.

The jury deliberated approximately two hours before reaching a unanimous verdict. Drew is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2014 at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes. He faces a minimum of 47 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Any individual brazen enough to enter a business and threaten the lives of innocent people with a firearm is a clear and present danger to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Stanton. “Today, a jury of his peers sent Mr. Drew an unequivocal message that this conduct will not be tolerated.”

“The success of this investigation is a result of the collaborative efforts of ATF and our local partners,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fulton. “This investigation is more evidence that ATF’s commitment to combating violent crime is unwavering. ATF’s Frontline strategy utilizes every available resource to make our communities a safer place to live.”

This case was investigated by the ATF, the Oakland Police Department, and the Memphis Police Department Assistant U.S. Attorney David Biggers and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stringfellow represented the government.

Orlando Man Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking and Gun Charges

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest today of Fredrick Collins, Sr. (36, Orlando) on an indictment returned on April 9, 2014, charging him with distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methylone, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted on all charges, Collins faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Collins that the United States intends to forfeit a firearm and ammunition seized from his home during the investigation.

According to the indictment, on three dates in September 2013, Collins possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it. The indictment also alleges that Collins possessed methylone, a Schedule I controlled substance, with the intent to distribute it and that he possessed a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking. Collins has five previous felony convictions, any one of which bars him from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Orlando Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce S. Ambrose.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Trevor Velinor, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is another example of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to impact violent crime within our communities.

Man Sentenced to 40 Months for Unlawful Gun Possession

POCATELLO B Joseph Raymond Haycock, 59, formerly of Salmon, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 40 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Haycock to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Haycock pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2014.

According to court records, Haycock possessed a .22 caliber rifle on September 18, 2012, when he was arrested for absconding state probation and failing to register as a sex offender. Haycock is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2011 felony conviction for sexual abuse of a minor under the age of sixteen years in Benewah County, Idaho.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted as part of Idaho’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, which seeks to reduce gun violence in Idaho.