Homeland Security Task Force Charges Dozens in South Florida with Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking Crimes, 94 Firearms SeizedArticle

MIAMI – U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, joined by federal and local law enforcement partners, announced today the results of a two-month, multi-agency enforcement initiative targeting repeat violent offenders in Palm Beach County. In May, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Miami Field Division launched “Operation Hurricane,” an enhanced enforcement initiative focused on combating violent crime and disrupting the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms throughout South Florida.

As part of the operation, ATF deployed personnel from across the country to work alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies, providing specialized expertise in tactical operations, technical support, and undercover investigations.To date, the ATF-led initiative has resulted in federal charges against and the arrest of 38 federal defendants and 8 state defendants, most of whom are Palm Beach County residents facing firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. Law enforcement also seized 94 firearms, including semiautomatic rifles and handguns, along with more than 600 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, investigators seized approximately 9.4 kilograms of illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, and other controlled substances.“As we’ve seen in Memphis, Washington, D.C., and now South Florida, targeted law enforcement surges drive down crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald.

“Operation Hurricane is the latest success: over two months of focused enforcement by ATF and its partners removed nearly 100 illegal firearms from communities, along with significant quantities of illegal drugs and controlled substances. We commend ATF and all our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their relentless efforts to hold violent repeat offenders accountable and make our neighborhoods safer.”“Operation Hurricane shows the Homeland Security Task Force model at work: federal, state, and local law enforcement moving as one team to identify the drivers of violence and remove illegal guns and drugs from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones. “This was dangerous, difficult work.

Our agents and officers went into harm’s way to save lives in Palm Beach County and across South Florida. Because of their courage and professionalism, 46 defendants, 94 firearms, and kilograms of deadly narcotics are now off the street.”“This enforcement initiative demonstrates ATF’s unwavering commitment to reducing violent crime by identifying and targeting the individuals who pose the greatest threat to our communities,” said ATF Director Rob Cekada. “ATF-led surge operations such as Operation Hurricane in south Florida supports the White House’s violent crime strategy and the Homeland Security Task Force – by focusing our investigative resources on known members of violent gangs, transnational criminal organizations, cartels and other prolific offenders. Our ATF Miami Field Division personnel removed 38 dangerous criminals from our streets, disrupted criminal groups, armed robbery crews, firearms trafficking cells, drug trafficking networks, and thus, made our neighborhoods significantly safer.

These results will have a lasting impact and are a testament to the dedication of our special agents, and law enforcement partners who work every day to protect the public through strategic, intelligence-driven enforcement.” “These criminals posed a serious threat to the well-being of Palm Beach County residents and the actions of our dedicated law enforcement partners in getting these weapons and drugs off the streets will lead to safer communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division.“This case demonstrates what is possible when law enforcement agencies work together with a shared commitment to protecting our community,” said Police Chief Tony Araujo of the West Palm Beach Police Department. Strong partnerships, open communication, and coordinated efforts were essential to advancing this investigation and bringing those responsible to justice.”The charges were brought via federal indictments and criminal complaints over the past few weeks. Operation Hurricane Defendants:NameAgeCity of ResidenceChargesAntwuan Alexander23Lake ParkFelon in possession of a firearmSarne Barfield38West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute 28 grams of crack cocaineHenry Bennett Jr.50West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine)Simon Black24Lake WorthConspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substanceNevara Brown32Port Saint LucieFelon in possession of a firearmConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamineUse, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeWoodley David35West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine)Carlos Dennard55West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute 28 grams of crack cocaineChris Duncan Jr.56Riviera BeachDistribution of a controlled substanceLiosbel Guillermo Ferrer Ortiz29Palm BayConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceAttempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceConspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeUse, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberyAttempt to commit Hobbs Act robberyFelon in possession of a firearm and ammunitionDequan Fleming30Riviera BeachConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamineUse, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeCamaron Furlow26Fort MyersPossession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to distribute a controlled substanceTaron Furlow28Fort MyersPossession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to distribute a controlled substanceDametria Alexandria Gibson29Belle GladeFederal possession of unregistered firearmsFelon in possession of a firearmsShon Lashard Grimsley33West Palm BeachDistribution of a controlled substanceDistribution of a controlled substanceConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceAttempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceConspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeUse, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberyAttempt to commit Hobbs Act robberyFelon in possession of a firearm and ammunitionEdward Lamar Hamilton III26Riviera BeachFederal possession of unregistered firearmsFelon in possession of a firearmDeonte Harry28Daytona BeachFelon in possession of a firearmGavlyn Renard Hooks42West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of a cocaine basePossession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substancePossession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a cocaine baseStephanie Hugee42Fort PierceDistribution of a controlled substanceMichael Jean24Lake WorthFelon in possession of a firearmJoseph Jerome, Jr.39West Palm BeachPossession with intent to distribute controlled substancesPossession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crimePossession of firearms by a convicted felonDerick Julien35West Palm BeachConspiracy to traffic firearms and trafficking firearmsJohn Phillip King38West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute a controlled substance to include 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felonRaleigh Markale Lewis47Riviera BeachConspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of a cocaine basePossession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substancePossession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a cocaine baseCarlos Lorenzo Linder, Jr.20Riviera BeachConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceAttempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceConspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeUse, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberyAttempt to commit Hobbs Act robberyAlonzo Little29Fort MyersConspiracy to transfer firearms to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commercePossession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to distribute a controlled substanceDallas Little29Fort MyersFelon in possession of a firearmConspiracy to transfer firearms to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commercePossession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to distribute a controlled substanceLarry Little31Lehigh AcresPossession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to distribute a controlled substancePossession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to distribute a controlled substanceRayan Masamvu26West Palm BeachConspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substanceTyran McNeal24Riviera BeachFelon in possession of a firearmDistribution of a controlled substancePossession of a firearm during and in relation to a Drug Trafficking CrimeMilton Andrew Richardson40West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute a controlled substance to include 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felonSagon Mickaletoe Steward38West Palm BeachConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceAttempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substanceConspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeUse, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeConspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberyAttempt to commit Hobbs Act robberyFelon in possession of a firearm and ammunitionAntony Stokes23Riviera BeachConspiracy to traffic firearms and trafficking firearmsPossession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felonRobert Lee Turner, Jr.31Riviera BeachDistribution of a Schedule II controlled substanceDistribution of 28 grams or more of a Schedule II controlled substanceKevin Walker34PahokeeFelon in possession of a firearmJarvis Williams31West Palm BeachFelon in possession of a firearmDavid Woodley35West Palm BeachConspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine)Marcus Young30Lake ParkDistribution of a controlled substance over 50 grams of a mixtureDistribution of a controlled substance over 40 grams or more Distribution of a controlled substance U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones acknowledged and commended the investigative efforts of ATF, DEA, the U.S.

Marshals Service (USMS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Palm Beach Police Department.The federal prosecutions are being coordinated by West Palm Beach Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam McMichael and West Palm Beach Narcotics Chief Daniel Funk. These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.

Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Miami comprises of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, USMS, HSI, and HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.The charges contained in indictments and complaints are not evidence of guilt.

Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.###