Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of two Complaints charging four defendants with firearms trafficking and narcotics distribution offenses in and around Port Chester, New York.  The defendants, WALTER JONES, FRANK MAXWELL, MARKEL CALHOUN, and JAMAR CALHOUN, were presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants were responsible for selling guns and drugs, two potentially lethal commodities that plague too many communities.  Thanks to the FBI and the Port Chester Police, the defendants are in custody and facing federal criminal charges.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Public safety is at risk when criminals think they can operate outside the law, selling guns and drugs in our communities.  The FBI's Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to break the cycle of addiction and violence by removing those responsible for putting weapons and narcotics on the streets.”

As alleged in the Complaints unsealed today in White Plains federal court [1]:

In or about February and March 2017, JONES and MARKEL CALHOUN conspired to traffic in firearms, and sold four firearms in Port Chester, New York, and Riverside, Connecticut.  During about the same period, JONES and MARKEL CALHOUN also possessed firearms unlawfully despite their prior felon status.  From at least in or about February 2018 up to November 2018, JONES and MAXWELL conspired to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.  Between March and May 2018, JAMAR CALHOUN distributed crack cocaine on at least six occasions in and around Port Chester, New York.   

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JONES, 30, and MARKEL CALHOUN, 26, are charged with one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  MARKEL CALHOUN is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and JONES is charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  JONES and MAXWELL, 36, are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.   JAMAR CALHOUN, 28, is charged with six counts of distribution of crack cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Port Chester Police Department. 

These cases are being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Brumwell and Vladislav Vainberg are in charge of the prosecution.

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

 



[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaints and the description of the Complaints set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.