FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - November 9, 2011

ARRESTS MADE USING PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

FAYETTEVILLE - At a press conference in Fayetteville today United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker and Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine announced the continued effort to fight violent crime and gang-related activities through the participation and partnerships of federal, state, and local law enforcement in the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program.

Today a multi-level law enforcement team, that included members of the United States Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department; and the Fayetteville Police Department, arrested individuals on outstanding warrants for firearm offenses. Mr. Walker stated, “Federal, state and local agencies gathered today, as a united group, to send the clear message that violent crime and drug dealing will not be tolerated. These agencies will continue to work together to make our communities a safe place to live.”

JOSEPH KIRKSHAW STEWART, 40, was charged on August 3, 2011, with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924 and possession of a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Sections 922(i) and 924(a)(2). According to the Indictment, on December 31, 2010, STEWART was found in the possession of a .32 caliber Rossi revolver, Model .32 Long, and ammunition that was believed to have been stolen.

KARL ANTHONY BUTLER, 42, was charged on October 25, 2011, with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924. According to the Indictment, on July 12, 2011, BUTLER was in possession of a Taurus .357 caliber revolver. On August 29, 2011, BUTLER was again found possession a firearm–a Taurus .38 caliber revolver. BUTLER’s criminal history includes possession of stolen goods, possession of a stolen vehicle, and four counts of common law robbery with one of those counts including being deemed an habitual felon.

TORRELL JEROME CAPEL, 29, of Spring Lake, was charged on November 1, 2011, with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack) and receiving and possessing a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Indictment alleges that on August 11, 2011, CAPEL was found in possession of a Steven, Model 9478, 12-gauge shotgun along with the crack cocaine. A Forfeiture Notice accompanies the Indictment that lists the shotgun as forfeitable property.

DEVON JOSE GUAJARDO, 21, was also charged on November 1, 2011, with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of marijuana. It is alleged that the offenses occurred on June 23, 2011, and June 29, 2011. A Forfeiture Notice has been included in the Indictment which includes a Rohm .32 caliber revolver, Model 30, and a Mossberg 12-gauge pump shotgun, Model 500 as forfeitable property.

DEVON LAMAR MARION, 32, of Hope Mills, was charged, on November 1, 2011, with possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base (crack), a quantity of powder cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, for events that occurred on July 18, 2011, when it is alleged that MARION was found in possession of a Ruger .357 handgun.

KENNETH NORRIS SANDERS, 56, was indicted on November 1, 2011. The charges include possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack), possession of firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of firearms and ammunition by a felon. As alleged in the Indictment, on June 24, 2011, SANDERS was found in possession of a Taurus .380 handgun and ammunition; a Remington, Model 870, 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition; and 9mm ammunition along with the crack cocaine.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is a priority in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Other cases that have been recently indicted, but are no less important, include the following:

BARRY ROBERT SMITH, 24, was indicted on June 29, 2011, for possessing a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2). The Indictment alleges that on December 16, 2010, SMITH knowingly possessed a stolen firearm–a .40 caliber Glock, Model 27, semi-automatic handgun. A Forfeiture Notice was included with the Indictment that lists the Glock as forfeitable property.

KIMBLE DWEESE JONES, 54, of Clinton, North Carolina, was indicted on July 5, 2011, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the Indictment, it is alleged that on January 21, 2011, JONES was found in possession of a Winchester, Model 24, 12-gauge shotgun, and ammunition.

Indicted on August 3, 2011:

ANTWAIN LAMAR DENNIS, 29, has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924. According to the Indictment, on January 22, 2011, DENNIS, was found possessing a Lorcin .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, Model L380, and ammunition. The Indictment also includes a Forfeiture Notice that lists a silver, Lorcin, .380 caliber handgun as forfeitable property. DENNIS’ previous criminal history includes possession of a stolen vehicle, breaking and entering, larceny, malicious conduct by a prisoner, possession of a stolen automobile, and selling cocaine and possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine.

Indicted on September 7, 2011:

BRENT MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 19, of Raeford, with larceny from a federal firearms licensee and possession of stolen firearms. According to the Indictment, on April 27, 2011, WILLIAMS stole a Remington, Model 870, 12-gauge shotgun; a Weatherby, Model SA08, 12-gauge shotgun; and a New England Arms 12-gauge shotgun from the Walmart located on Raeford Road in Fayetteville.

RAMON EMANUEL SMITH, 32, of Hope Mills, was indicted on September 28, 2011, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, utilization and maintenance of a place for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing cocaine base and marijuana, distribution of a quantity of cocaine base, and distribution of a quantity of marijuana. As alleged in the Indictment, on February 24, 2011, SMITH, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than a year, was found in possession of a FN 5.7 x 28 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Indicted October 5, 2011:

MICHAEL RAY GOOD, 30, has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924, and possession of a sawed-off shotgun, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5861(d) and 5871. According to the Indictment, on December 11, 2010, GOOD was found possessing a Marlin .22 caliber rifle and ammunition and a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun.

CHARLES LEONARD CALHOUN, 28, has been charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(k) and 924. On December 11, 2011, CALHOUN was found possessing a Marlin .22 caliber rifle from which the manufacturer’s serial number had been removed, obliterated or altered. A Forfeiture Notice has been filed in the case and the previous case listing the Maverick shotgun and Marlin rifle as forfeitable property.

HEATHER ELIZABETH HART, 32, of Hope Mills, was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2). According to the Indictment, on November 13, 2010, HART knowingly possessed stolen firearms that included a Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun and a Rossi 410-gauge shotgun.

JAMES NORRIS WRIGHT, was indicted on October 7, 2011. WRIGHT has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm. The two-count indictment alleges that on June 8, 2010, WRIGHT was found in possession of a Cobra, .380 caliber pistol and that he had reasonable cause to believe it was stolen.

Indicted October 19, 2011:

KEVIN LEONARD MACK, 23, was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924. According to the Indictment, on April 15, 2011, MACK was found in possession of a firearm. A Forfeiture Notice has been filed that includes a Sig Sauer 9mm semi-automatic pistol as forfeitable property. MACK’s criminal history includes felony hit and run/failure stop, conspiring to seel or delivery cocaine and possession with intent to see/deliver cocaine, breaking and/or entering, and second degree burglary.

Indicted November 1, 2011:

RAINEY HOPE CROSBY, 35, has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm. The Indictment alleges that on February 4, and 5, 2011, CROSBY knowingly possess a Bersa .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun and seven rounds of Remington Peters ammunition. It further alleges that there was reasonable cause to believe the firearm was stolen. A Forfeiture Notice has been included in the Indictment listing the firearm as forfeitable property.

RICHARD RAY ISENBERG, 55, has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for which he was found in possession of a Harrington & Richardson Arms Company .22 caliber revolver and ammunition on July 21, 2011.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.