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Press Release

Middle District Of Florida Starts Fiscal Year 2023 With More Than 30 Firearms And Violent Crime Indictments As Part Of Project Safe Neighborhoods Strategy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today the results of the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During the first quarter, ending on December 31, 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has charged 31 defendants for federal firearms and violent crime offenses, removing 62 firearms from our streets in the process. (See chart for case details).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also engaged in community outreach efforts aimed at violent crime prevention throughout the year. Those efforts in the first quarter involved approximately 405 citizens.

“Our office is committed to reducing violent crime throughout the Middle District of Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners and community stakeholders as part of our joint effort to make our communities safer.”

PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based reentry programs to reduce recidivism.

Q1 PSN case highlights:

United States v. Uriah Waggerby, Sylvanis Brice, and Johan Holder (Ft. Myers)

On November 1, 2016, three men wearing hoodies, masks and gloves, and brandishing firearms attempted to commit a robbery at a residence on the Big Cypress Reservation. During the robbery attempt, one of the masked men fired a shot that killed a young man who had been visiting the targeted residence. As the assailants had concealed their identities during the robbery attempt, no one at the scene was able to identify the perpetrators. Waggerby later admitted to his involvement in the robbery, telling investigators that he had met with individuals prior to the robbery and directed them to rob a particular house on the reservation because a resident there was a marijuana dealer. As a result of an exhaustive law enforcement investigation, Brice and Holder were identified as perpetrators who had committed the attempted armed robbery on the reservation. Johan Holder was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, Sylvanis Brice was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, and Uriah Waggerby was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison.

United States v. Darnell Rice (Jacksonville)

In December 2022, Darnell Rice was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession and transfer of a device designed for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun and making a false written statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the acquisition of a firearm. Investigators determined that Rice was engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a federal license, specifically, by frequently buying and selling firearms for profit. He used social media accounts to offer firearms and ammunition for sale and to communicate with customers. Records from one gun store in Jacksonville show that Rice had purchased 77 firearms from that single location, paying a total of approximately $29,515.

United States v. Keo Mike (Ocala)

In December 2022, Keo Ibua Mike was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. According to court documents, law enforcement arrested Mike on outstanding warrants at an Ocala house that smelled strongly of marijuana. Investigators obtained a search warrant and recovered methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and MDMA from inside the home. They also recovered three loaded firearms in the attic—a handgun, an AR-15 “ghost” pistol (with no manufacturer markings), and an AK-47 rifle.

United States v. Carlos Albert Roman (Orlando)

Thirteen individuals were identified and charged in two separate indictments. One of the lead defendants, Carlos Alberto Roman, supplied cocaine and fentanyl to others and was arrested at his home with 19 firearms, 6 silencers, 3 flash-bang grenades, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. As a result of the investigation, DEA agents seized more than 110 kilograms of cocaine and 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl. Roman recently pleaded guilty and faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 30 years, up to life, in federal prison.  

U.S. v. Alvarez et. al (Tampa)

Between May 5 and 6, 2022, Christopher Alvarez, Enrique Marquez, and Dyonnie Alvarez robbed 4 separate convenience stores in the Tampa area. Marquez brandished a firearm during each of the four robberies and C. Alvarez carried a knife during two of the robberies. D. Alvarez acted as the getaway driver. The investigation also revealed that D. Alvarez and Marquez attempted to rob two individuals of marijuana. The robbery was unsuccessful, and the two victims were shot by Marquez.

An indictment or criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has violated one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0.  

 

Charged Cases

  
 

Defendant(s)

(Age)

Charges

Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment

Firearms Seized

  
 

Ft. Myers Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Travis Lavon Anderson (35)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term:  10 years

4

  
 

Steven Dewayne Barnes, Jr. (28)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 15 years

Possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

1

  
 

Alphonso Lataurean James (29)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 15 years

1

  
 

Martavious Brown (45)

Distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: 40 years, plus consecutive 5 years for firearm offense

2

  
 

These PSN cases from the Ft. Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Simon Eth and Mark Morgan.

  
 

Jacksonville Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Mario Lenard Elbert (33)

Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

Maximum Prison Term:  20 years

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 Years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possession of firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term:  10 years

Possession of a machine gun

Maximum Prison Term:  15 years

2

  
 

Jonathan Donte Rogers, Jr. (21)

Possessing a stolen firearm and failure to register the firearm

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years per count

1

  
 

Pernell Dewayne Bodiford, Jr. (24)

Illegally purchasing a firearm by providing a false statement to a federal firearms dealer

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Paul Steven Hulbert (26)

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; unlawful possession of a firearm by a person subject to a domestic violence injunction; two counts of possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and short-barreled shotgun

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years per count

1

  
 

D’Treious Sharron Epps (26)

Distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

Possessing a firearm while unlawfully using a controlled substance

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: 40 years

7

  
 

Geoffrey Scott Carter (43)

Conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 15 years

Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of fentanyl

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years per count

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

2

  
 

Jesse Rance Moore (45)

Interference with commerce by threats or violence robberies and burglaries involving controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 7 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

3

  
 

Ronald Thomas Jr. (45)

Distribution of fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years Maximum Prison Term: Life plus 50 years

1

  
 

Sonja Leigh Quinn (50)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

  
 

These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein, John Cannizzaro, Michael Coolican, Laura Taylor and Kirwinn Mike.

  

1
 

Ocala Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Timothy James Roberts (29)

Possession of an unregistered National Firearm Act weapon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2 counts)

Maximum Prison Term: 15 years per count

3

  
 

Mario Jerard Delancy (33)

Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

3

  
 

Antonio Eugene Brutton (35)

Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

  
 

Christopher Richard Munroe

(55)

Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 15 years

2

  
 

Cody Richard Hawk (51)

Possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 15 years

3

  
 

These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Sarah Swartzberg, Hannah Nowalk, and Tyrie Boyer.

  

1
 

Tampa Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Thaddeus Timeaus Howard (29)

Unlawful possession of a firearm

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Derrick Evans (44)

Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

Carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

1

  
 

Dartis Cobb (35)

Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

0

  
 

Meccos Donta Allen (38)

Unlawful possession of a firearm

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

0

  
 

James John Hall (34)

Unlicensed distribution of explosive materials, possession of an unregistered destructive device, unlawful making of a destructive device

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years per county

1

  
 

Demetrius Sanchez Mitchell (38)

Illegal possession of a firearm

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

0

  
 

These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs David P. Sullivan, Samantha Beckman, Samantha Newman.

  

0
 

Orlando Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Tarick Jean Charles (22)

Jesus Rojas (21)

Conspiracy to rob a postal carrier (Rojas and Charles); armed postal robbery (Rojas);

theft of arrow key and receipt of stolen property (Charles)

Maximum Prison Term (Charles) – 10 years

Maximum Prison Term (Rojas) – 25 years

0

  
 

Elsie Marie Crespo (27)

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances (3 counts)

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years per count
Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

    
 

Rafick Gordon Gilpin (31)

Damion Clark Kingston (31)

Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

Maximum Prison Term: 40 years per count

Carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimes

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

3

  
 

Nathan Joel Arledge (29)

Possession of a short-barreled rifle, two machine guns, and three silencers

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession of child pornography

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

9

  
 

Rany Parrales (35)

Illegally purchasing a firearm by providing a false statement to a federal firearms dealer

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

7

  
 

These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, John M. Gardella, Courtney D. Richardson-Jones and Michael P. Felicetta

 
 

Adjudicated Cases

 
 

Defendant(s)

(Age)

Charges

Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment

Firearms Seized

  
 

Ft. Myers Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Terry Kristopher Flournoy (23)

 

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

This PSN case from the Ft. Myers Division is being handled by AUSA Mark Morgan.

  
 

Jacksonville Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

John Nathan Hemingway (52)

Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base “crack;” and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

  
 

Brandon Corey Skeith (40)

Possessing fentanyl and cocaine base with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

  
 

Sabastian Amrine (20)

Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, knowingly committed Hobbs Act robbery

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 7 years

1

  
 

These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Michael Coolican, John Cannizzaro, Frank Talbot and Laura Taylor.

  
 

Ocala Division

  
 

 

1st Quarter

    
 

Jaedyn Tiryse Presley (23)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Ricky Darnell Franklin, Jr. (30)

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Justin Heath Griffin (34)

Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Robert Bodnar, Jr. and Hannah Nowalk.

  
 

Orlando Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Juan Carlos Garcia (39)

Conspiracy and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

  
 

Daniel Stephen King (28)

Possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

9

  
 

Ramondo Zavious Williams (41)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

  
 

Bobby Houston Bridges Jr. (46)

Possession of firearm and or ammunition by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Javier Alejandro Lopez Rivera (36)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years
Maximum Prison Term: 40 years

Carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimes

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

2

  
 

Carlos Alberto Roman (56)

Possession of controlled substances and possessing a firearm equipped with a silencer in furtherance of drug crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 30 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

19 firearms,

6 silencers,

3 grenades.

  
 

These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Courtney Richardson-Jones, Dana Hill, Megan Testerman, and Terry B. Livanos.

  
 

Tampa Division

  
 

1st Quarter

  
 

Edwin Hill (51)

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin; distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 20 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

3

  
 

Cheyenne McIntosh (26)

Making false statement on an ATF form

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

7

  
 

Dallas Robinson, Jr. (29)

Possession of a firearm as a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Enrique Marquez (26)

Robbery, conspiracy to commit those robberies

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

Two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence while committing robberies

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 7 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

0

  
 

Marques Howard (31)

Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to commit that robbery

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years per count

Discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years
Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

  
 

Robert Humberston (39)

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

0

  
 

These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Dan Baeza, Charlie Connally, David Chee, and Samantha Newman.

  

Sentenced Cases

  

Defendant(s)

(Age)

Charges

Sentence Imposed

Firearms Seized

  

Fort Myers Division

  

1st Quarter

  

Re’Shod Peter Jontavious Larry (28)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence imposed: 7 years, 8 months

1

  

Shauntavus Berklin (34)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence imposed: 15 years

2

  

Matthew Garrett Mink (38)

Possessing an illegal machinegun, possessing an unregistered firearm silencer, possessing a stolen firearm silencer, and possessing an un-serialized firearm silencer

Sentence imposed: 4 years, 3 months 

1 machine gun

2 firearm silencers

  

Brown Dimas III (27)

Falsifying records relating to firearms purchases

Sentence imposed: 3 years, 1 month

4

  

William Earl Siebert (47)

Unlawfully possessing an unregistered destructive device

Sentenced imposed:  5 years, 10 months

1 pipe bomb

  

Gabriel Acosta, Jr. (28)

Falsifying records relating to firearm purchases

Sentence imposed:  3 years, 1 month imprisonment

0

  

Otis Marchman IV (28)

Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon

Sentence imposed:  3 years, 5 months

1

  

Johan Holder (26),

Sylvanis Brice (31),

Uriah Waggerby (25)

Attempted robbery that resulted in the killing of a victim on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation.

Sentences imposed: 

Holder: 40 years

Brice: 40 years

Waggerby: 18 years

0

  

These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Simon Eth and Michael Sinacore.

 

Jacksonville Division

  

1st Quarter

  

Raymond Reeves (22)

Felon in possession of a firearm

Sentence imposed: 2 years, 3 months

1

  

Darnell Donja Rice, Jr. (28)

Possession and transfer of a device designed for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun; making false written statement to federally licensed firearms dealer during acquisition of a firearm

Sentence imposed:  5 years

1

  

Stephan Marshall (35)

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

Sentenced imposed:  4 years, 9 months

2

  

James Lewis (54)

Misrepresentation to firearms dealer during purchase of firearm

Sentence imposed:  Time served

0

  

Dontae Edwards (31)

False statement on a Form 4473

Sentence imposed:  18 months

0

  

These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs Frank Talbot, Michael Coolican, and John Cannizzaro.

  

Ocala Division

  

1st Quarter

  

James Clay Bexley (35)

Possession of unregistered destructive devices and firearm silencers; and possession of firearms in violation of domestic violence

Sentence imposed: 3 years

18

  

Demuntray Cox

(39)

Possession of a firearm by a felon

Sentence imposed: Time Served (22 months)

1

  

Keo Ibua Mike (29)

Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon

Sentence imposed: 8 years

2

  

Reginald Herman Smith, Jr.

(47)

Possession of a firearm by a felon

Sentence imposed: 15 years

1

  

Brodie Harlow Kies (39)

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed: 27 years

2

  

These PSN cases from the Ocala Division were handled by AUSAs Tyrie K. Boyer, Robert Bodnar, Jr., and William Hamilton.

  

Orlando Division

  

1st Quarter

  

Charles Edward Palmatier (74)

Dealing in firearms without a license

Sentenced imposed: 1 year, 1 day

2

  

Mandel Lamont Stewart (23)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Sentenced imposed:  8 years

2

  

These PSN cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs Beatriz Gonzalez and Ranganath Manthripragada.

  

Tampa Division

  

1st Quarter

  

Antwan Brown (22)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Sentenced imposed:  1 year, 6 months

1

  

Kermon Williams (42),

James Higgs, Jr. (40),

Jhaphre Iiggs (35)

Double homicide, murder for hire conspiracy

Sentences imposed: Life followed by 20 years

 

1

  

William Shumaker, Jr. (39)

Possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed: 5 years

1

  

Karey Tyrone Taylor, II (42)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed: 5 years, 11 months

1 firearm,

1 magazine

  

Aunyis Cherry (27)

Felon in possession of a firearm

Sentenced imposed:  22 years, 11 months

1

  

Christopher Deon Townsel (47)

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed: 15 years

1

  

Rossonno Borders, Jr. (25)

Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon

Sentence imposed:  3 years, 1 month

1

  

Davion Rivers (27)

Possessing a firearm by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed:  15 years, 8 months

1

  

Deron Lamar Foster (35)

Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed:  10 years

1

  

Cleate Wilson (40)

Forcibly resisting, opposing, impeding, and interfering with Deputy U.S. Marshals; and

possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon

Sentence imposed:  6 years, 6 months

1

  

These PSN cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Samantha Beckman, Craig Gestring, Charlie Connally, David Chee, Risha Asokan, Patrick Scruggs, Samantha Beckman, James Preston, Terry B. Livanos, Lisa Thelwell, and Chris Murray.

  
                   

 

Updated January 24, 2023
Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Firearms Offenses
Component
USAO - Florida, Middle

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