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Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of indictments charging Jacksonville residents Natario Bernard Peterson, Dashawn Leon Rose, Jacoby Devonta Hartley, Kirkland George Lawrence, Bruce Marcell Wilson, Keron Jodan Taylor, and Bryant Lloyd Wright with federal drug and firearms charges. The indictments also notify the defendants that United States intends to forfeit the firearms used in these offenses and any proceeds traceable to the offenses. If convicted on these charges, these defendants face the following minimum and maximum penalties:
Name (age) |
Charges |
Maximum Penalties |
Natario Bernard Peterson, a/k/a “Nite Ryda” (24) |
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Dashawn Leon Rose, a/k/a “Whop” (21) |
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Jacoby Devonta Hartley, a/k/a “Lil’ Coby” (22) |
Distribution of crack cocaine. |
Up to 20 years in federal prison. |
Kirkland George Lawrence, a/k/a “Killa” (33) |
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. |
Up to 10 years in federal prison. |
Bruce Marcell Wilson (38) |
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|
Keron Jodan Taylor (33) |
Distribution of a controlled substance analogue. |
Up to 20 years in federal prison. |
Bryant Lloyd Wright (29) |
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According to the indictments, at various times in 2018, these individuals distributed controlled substances and controlled substance analogues and were illegally in possession of firearms or illegally disposed of firearms to a convicted felon.
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.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Cofer Taylor and David Mesrobian.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.