David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARVIN PEREZ, 31, of Springfield, Mass., was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine.

This matter stems from “Operation Slim Fast,” a long-term investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force that focused on drug trafficking, firearm trafficking and gang activity in the Bridgeport area. As a result of the investigation, 19 individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics and firearms related offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, intercepted calls and surveillance revealed that PEREZ and others were involved in a drug trafficking organization that trafficked kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico, through Massachusetts, and into Connecticut. On more than10 occasions between November 2009 and January 2011, PEREZ transported a total of nearly 15 kilograms of cocaine from Massachusetts into Connecticut.

On January 4, 2011, PEREZ was arrested in Hartford with four kilograms of cocaine that he had brought from Massachusetts to sell. At the time of his arrest, PEREZ also possessed a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and more than $16,000 in his vehicle.

On August 17, 2011, PEREZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. PEREZ also agreed to forfeit the cash that was seized as proceeds of drug trafficking.

PEREZ has been detained since his arrest on January 4, 2011.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of personnel from the FBI, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk and Trumbull Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stratford, Hartford, and Stamford Police Departments assisted the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Dayton, Jonathan Freimann, and Doug Morabito.

Springfield Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Cocaine | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

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.

Fifteen Individuals Indicted in Large-Scale Drug Conspiracy Case | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Darris Hyte, 31, who last resided at 1209 Sairwood Dr., Elgin, was sentenced yesterday in Federal Court. Because he possessed a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, Hyte faced a mandatory minimum of five years up to life in federal prison under federal law.

Hyte was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Coar in U.S. District Court in Chicago on November 5, said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

According to court documents, on June 23, 2008, in Elgin, Hyte possessed 31.5 grams of crack cocaine, which he intended to distribute. Along with the crack cocaine, Hyte also had a loaded .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.

Hyte admitted that he possessed the firearm in order to protect his distribution of crack cocaine. According to court filings, Hyte was considered a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines based on two prior drug trafficking convictions.

As a career offender, Hyte faced a heightened sentencing guideline range.

Hyte was indicted in October 2008 and pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense on June 11, 2009.

In addition to the 20-year prison sentence, Judge Coar imposed a term of five years of supervised release and a $1,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Elgin Police Department and the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Initiative.

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, which initially brought charges, later referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hauser.

MEDIA CONTACT:

United States Attorney’s Office, 312-353-5300
Northern District of Illinois

Elgin Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possession of a Handgun and Crack Cocaine | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The indictments are the result of a joint FBI and ATF investigation targeting members of the “Marshall Organization,” a drug trafficking group operating throughout the Eastern District of Michigan.

Mr. Berg was joined in the announcement by Gustavo Grodsinsky, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Thomas E. Brandon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Police Chief Michael J. Cecchini, Bay City Police Department.

The indictment was sealed by court order until today.

Charged in the indictment were:

• Eric Marshall, 48, formerly of St. Louis, MO, currently of Bay City, MI;
• Marko Burns, 29, of Bay City, MI;
• Rolando Demyers, 23, formerly of St. Louis, MO, currently of Bay City, MI;
• Dale Hawn, 38, of Bay City, MI;
• Jwan Hoyt, 19, Bay City, MI;
• Terry Marshall, 44, of Bay City, MI;
• Carolson Martin, 29, of Bay City, MI;
• Johnny Marshall, 41, of St. Louis, MO;
• Ariq Mcculloh, 22, of Bay City, MI;
• Stephen Marshall, 22, of Bay City, MI;
• Earl Blount, 29, of Bay City, MI;
• James Anderson, 36, of Detroit, MI;
• Jesse Wayne Peterson, 27, of Bay City, MI;
• Johnny Walker, 26, of Bay City, MI; and
• Antoine Marshall, 44, of Kawkawlin, MI

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute crack and powder cocaine in Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties.

The indictment also alleges specific crack and powder cocaine distributions, along with the possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.

United States Attorney Terrence Berg stated, “Crack continues to threaten the vitality and safety of the most marginalized members of our society and undermines the health of many neighborhoods.

Today’s indictment is an attempt to dismantle an organization that is alleged to distribute significant amounts of both crack and powder cocaine. It is a good example of what can be accomplished through local, state and federal law enforcement cooperation.”

FBI Special Agent In Charge Andrew Arena stated, “As a partner with Mid-Michigan the law enforcement agencies, we strive to work matters that impact communities and have far reaching impact. The FBI will continue to work in conjunction with our partners to disrupt and dismantle such organizations.

The FBI would like to especially recognize the cooperation and partnership of the Bay City Police Department in the investigation in this case.”

At the time of this release fourteen defendants have been arrested and will be making appearances in federal court in Bay City, Michigan, as well as St. Louis, Missouri.

Earlier this morning, agents executed sixteen federal search warrants in Bay City and Detroit, Michigan. Agents recovered more than 1 kilogram of powder cocaine, 2 ounces of crack cocaine, firearms, and other drug paraphernalia.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent. It will be the government’s burden to prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

United States Attorney Berg congratulated all the law enforcement partners who took part in the investigation including the FBI, ATF, Bay City Police Department, Michigan State Police, and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Their significant cooperation resulted in the Indictment in this case. He noted that the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shane N. Waller.

MEDIA CONTACT:

United States Attorney’s Office, 313-226-9100
Eastern District of Michigan

Fifteen Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Michigan Drug Trafficking Investigation | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.