Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the results of firearms prosecutions for fiscal year 2020 (FY20). In FY20, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) has charged more than 200 individuals with violations of federal firearms laws. Charges arose from armed robberies, possession of firearms and ammunition by convicted felons, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking and violent crimes, and false statements in relation to gun purchases.

“Fighting violent crime and keeping our citizens safe continues to be a paramount priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida,” said United States Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Despite some recent changes in priorities in some of our local law enforcement agencies, we hope to continue to work together with our dedicated and courageous law enforcement partners to remain laser-focused on holding violent criminals accountable, reducing gun violence, and protecting our communities.” Several firearms cases have resulted in significant sentences in FY20, throughout all five divisions of the MDFL. Highlights from each division are summarized below.

 

United States vs. Jimmy Ray Lightsey

On September 17, 2020, in Jacksonville, Jimmy Ray Lightsey (40, Jacksonville) was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to testimony presented at trial, on June 24, 2018, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Lightsey for driving without a valid license. A 9mm pistol and a bag of marijuana were observed, in plain view, inside Lightsey’s car. A search of the vehicle revealed additional marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and empty baggies used for packaging narcotics. The pistol was later determined to have been stolen from a home in Jacksonville approximately two weeks earlier. At the time of the incident, Lightsey had multiple prior felony convictions, including for the sale or delivery of cocaine and attempted armed robbery with a weapon. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David B. Mesrobian and Beatriz Gonzalez. For additional details, see press release.

United States vs. Anthony Kenty Soto-Lopez et al

In Orlando, on September 29, 2020, Anthony Kenty Soto-Lopes was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for charges arising from the straw purchase of firearms. Soto-Lopes’s co-defendants, Misael Adorno-Ortega, Ivan Jomar Melendez-Ortiz, and Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez were sentenced to federal prison – 84 months, 37 months, and 8 months, respectively. According to court records, between October 2018 and July 2019, Adorno-Ortega and Soto-Lopes employed Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Melendez-Ortiz as straw purchasers to purchase 52 firearms. The straw purchasers falsely indicated on ATF forms that they were the actual transferees/buyers of the firearms, when in fact, they were purchasing the firearms for Adorno-Ortega and Soto-Lopes, who were prior convicted felons on supervised release. This case was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt and Amanda Daniels. For additional details, please see press release.

United States vs. Charlie Lee Wright, Jr.

In Ocala, on August 28, 2020, Charlie Lee Wright, Jr. (52, Summerfield) was sentenced to 17 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to the evidence presented at the trial, Wright has 28 prior felony convictions. On January 16, 2019, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Wright’s home looking for stolen jewelry. During the search, detectives located numerous firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. One of the recovered firearms was a mini-14 rifle, a semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a high-capacity magazine. This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr. For additional details, please see press release.

United States vs. Jarquel Jenkins

In Fort Myers, on February 20, 2020, Jarquel Jenkins (28, Fort Myers) was sentenced to 19 years and 7 months in prison for drug distribution and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, on three separate occasions in January and February 2019, Jenkins sold heroin and cocaine to confidential informants. In February 2019, following a controlled purchase of narcotics from Jenkins, law enforcement officers attempted to arrest Jenkins, who fled from a parked vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers seized various quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, as well as a loaded firearm from the vehicle’s cup holder. The case was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Reichling. For additional details, please see press release.

United States vs. Jordan Rodriguez et al

In Tampa, on February 5, 2020, Jordan Rodriguez (Bradenton, 26) was sentenced to three life terms of imprisonment for gang racketeering and murder. His co-defendants, Alfonzo Churchwell (Bradenton, 32) and Andrew Thompson (Bradenton, 25), were also sentenced to multiple life terms. According to evidence presented during the three and half week jury trial, the defendants had engaged in a violent and deadly rivalry with others in Oneco, a community in Bradenton. The individuals worked together to traffic in controlled substances and to control and protect their drug business with violence and murder. Rodriguez, Churchwell, and Thompson were responsible for at least four murders. Their racketeering enterprise maintained a “trap house” that was used to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs. This case was investigated by ATF, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office (Twelfth Judicial Circuit). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natalie Hirt Adams and Christopher F. Murray. For additional details, please see press release.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws are amongst the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department has reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

The USAO-MDFL works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to vigorously enforce federal laws related to violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms. Recently charged cases are summarized in the table below.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.



Name





Charges        





AUSA/Division





Kermon Williams (42, St. Petersburg),

Jahphre Higgs (36, St. Petersburg),

James Higgs (40, St. Petersburg)

See press release.





1. Conspiring to commit a murder for hire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958 (All)

2. Committing a murder for hire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958 and 2 (All)

3. Conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (All)

4. Attempting to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (The Higgs)

5. Felons in possession of ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Both Higgs)

6. Use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes , in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and (j), and 2 (All)

7. Use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and (j), and 2 (All)

8 .Felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Jhaphre Higgs)

9. Felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Jhaphre Higgs)





Natalie Adams, Tampa





Wilmer Rosales (23, Plant City),

Joel Sierra (25, Plant City)

See press release.





1. Drug conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (both defendants)

2. Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (both defendants).

3. Hobbs Act robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (both defendants)

4. Discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, causing the death of Grant Urquhart, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and (j) (Rosales).

5. Felon-in-possession of a firearm and ammunition, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Rosales).

6. Possession of a firearm in a school zone, 18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2) (Rosales)





Natalie Adams, Tampa





Jullian Williams (28, Tampa),

Torie Daniels (33, Tampa)





1. Conspiring to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (both defendants)

2. Conspiring to commit money laundering, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) (both defendants)

3. Possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(D) (both defendants)

4. Possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) (both defendants)

5. Possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(D) (Williams)

6. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Williams)





Natalie Adams, Tampa





Michler Gabriel (28, Brandon)

See press release.





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Callan Albritton, Tampa





Steven Sinadinoa (32, Tampa)





1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

2. Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)





Callan Albritton, Tampa





Tavares Speaight (24, Tampa)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Callan Albritton, Tampa





Deveon Jenkins (27, Ocala)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Robert Bodnar, Ocala





Cory Lamar Cohen, Jr. (22, Ocala)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Robert Bodnar, Ocala





Vladimir Isidor St. Louis (38, Orlando)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





E. Jackson Boggs, Orlando





Xavier Youvark Sims (35, Ocala)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Tyrie Boyer, Ocala





David Stephen Shaw (36, Ocala)

See press release.





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Tyrie Boyer, Ocala





Darrell Pete (31, Ocala)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Tyrie Boyer, Ocala





Justin Ruth (28, New Port Richey)

See press release.





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Charlie Connally, Tampa





Lorenzo Johnson (29, St. Petersburg)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Charlie Connally, Tampa





Brandon Clark (34, Sarasota)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Charlie Connally, Tampa





Max Bennett Chambers (21, Sarasota)





Possession of a machinegun, 18 U.S.C. § 922(o)





Amanda Daniels, Orlando





Omar Lupian Barajas (40, Groveland)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Michael Felicetta, Ocala





Michael Kendrick (34, Ocala)





1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

2. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





Michael Felicetta, Ocala





James Johnson (31, Summerfield),

Brittany Johnson (28, Summerfield)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Michael Felicetta, Ocala





Joshua Sams (19, Orange Park)

See press release.





1. Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)

2. Possession of a firearm in relation to crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)





Kevin Frein, Jacksonville





Brandy Rayburn (40, Jacksonville)

 

Duane McCray (42, Jacksonville)





1-2. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

3. Distribution of Crack Cocaine & Heroin, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)





Betty Gonzalez, Jacksonville





John Hurley (33, St. Augustine)





Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Betty Gonzalez, Jacksonville





Lamar Curtis (34, Jacksonville)





Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Betty Gonzalez, Jacksonville





Recardo Clark (38, Winter Haven)





Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)





Michael Gordon, Tampa





Frank Eiland (43, Tampa)





1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

2. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)





Michael Gordon, Tampa





Keon Moore (28, Tampa)





1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

2. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

3. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





Michael Gordon, Tampa





Spencer Walker (40, Palatka)





Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Julie Hackenberry, Jacksonville





Corey Carnegie (33, Ocala),

Nishera Johnson (39, Ocala)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





William Hamilton, Ocala





Matthew Zachariah Humphrey (26, Daytona Beach

See press release.





1. Possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

2. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





Dana E. Hill, Orlando





Janee Reve Najee Kelly (31, Daytona Beach)

See press release.





1. Possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

2. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Dana E. Hill, Orlando





Gregory Baker (32, Jacksonville Beach)





1. Possession with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

2. Distribution of steroids, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted Felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

4. Sale of firearms to a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)





Kelly Karase, Jacksonville





Deangelo Howard (36)





1. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

2. Theft of Government Funds, 18 U.S.C. § 641





Kelly Karase, Jacksonville





Samuel Davis, Jr. (38, Bradenton)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Randall Leonard, Tampa





Alphonso Woodie (38, Bradenton)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Randall Leonard, Tampa





Wilmer Eduardo Mejia-Palacios (36, Orlando)

See press release.





Four counts of making false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)





Terry Livanos, Orlando





Frederick Aaron (38, Jacksonville)





1. Distribution of a Controlled Substance, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

2. Possession of a firearm by a convicted Felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





David Mesrobian, Jacksonville





Demarcus Daniels (24)





1. Bank Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)

2. Carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)





David Mesrobian, Jacksonville





Christopher Dozier (39, Jacksonville)





1,3. Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)

2,4. Possession of a firearm in relation to crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)





David Mesrobian, Jacksonville





Gabriel Thompkins (25, Tampa)





False Statement to a federally licensed firearms dealers, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A).





Christopher Murray, Tampa





Kevin Speights (26, Tampa)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





James C. Preston, Jr., Tampa





Davion Rivers (25, Bradenton)





Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Michael Sinacore, Tampa





Jarrod Austin (33, Orange Park)





False statements to an FFL, records, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)





Frank Talbot, Jacksonville





Kelly Villalobos (50, Ponte Vedra)

See press release.





False Statements to an FFL, records, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)





Frank Talbot, Jacksonville





Vonshea Hartley (37)





1,3,5. Distribution of cocaine base, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

2,4,6. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

7,8. Distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)





Laura Taylor, Jacksonville





Bruce Jefferson (46, Jacksonville)





Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Laura Taylor, Jacksonville





Elizabeth Rivera (52, Jacksonville)





Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Laura Taylor, Jacksonville





Raekwon Cannon (24, Jacksonville)





1-3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Ashley Washington, Jacksonville





Christopher Carter (32, Jacksonville)





Sale of Cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

2-3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Ashley Washington,  Jacksonville





Derrick Ivory (48, Jacksonville)





Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





Ashley Washington,  Jacksonville