Two Area Men Plead Guilty To Federal Charges Including The Assault Of A Federal Officer

St. Louis, MO - FREDERICK CRAYTON, St. Louis City, pled guilty to federal gun and assault charges involving the April 18, 2013, assault of a federal officer.  His brother DWAYNE CRAYTON, pled guilty yesterday to charges of selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer.  Both defendants appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig in St. Louis.

According to court documents, on April 15, 2013, Dwayne Crayton sold crack cocaine to an undercover agent.  Three days later on April 18, 2013, his brother Frederick and James Jones arranged to sell three firearms to an ATF undercover agent and two Confidential Informants.  During a struggle involving several firearms, Frederick Crayton assaulted the undercover agent in an attempt to rob the agent of the money that was to be used to buy the three firearms.  

Co-defendant James Edward Jones, also of St. Louis City, was indicted in April on related charges and awaits trial. 

These charges carry a penalty range of5 to 25 years in prison and/or fines up to $1,000,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.  Sentencings have been set for October 2013.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case,  charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  The remaining defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.