15 Savannah Residents Charged With Federal Firearm Drug Trafficking And Related Offenses

SAVANNAH, GA – 15 Savannah residents were charged within the past week with federal firearms and drug-trafficking offenses as part of a joint federal and state violent-crime reduction initiative in the Savannah area.  In addition to federal charges, 90 state arrests were made within the past two weeks during a state and federal operation to remove violent offenders, drugs and illegal weapons off of the streets of Savannah.

The Savannah residents charged within the past week with federal crimes include:

Shavar Spence, a/k/a “Veezy,” 31; charged with drug trafficking, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and related crimes;

Antwan Leshawn Coley, a/k/a “Felix,” 32; charged with drug trafficking;

Braylon Williams, a/k/a “Little Gangster,” 20; charged with drug trafficking;

Lajordan Johnson, 22; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furthering of drug trafficking;

Blanche Spence, 50; charged with drug trafficking and with maintaining a drug-related premises;

Charles Leonard Mobley, 21; charged with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Miguel Antwan Mitchell, 28; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Bruce Lloyd, 30; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Brandon Anthony Adams, 28; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Laron Allen, 28; charged with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Kwesi Nkosi Chew, 28; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Tsaddiq Ndesha Chew, 26; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Rakeem Gallop, a/k/a “Slice,” 25; charged with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;

Michael Simpson, 51; charged with an attempted carjacking; and,

Todd Benjamin, a/k/a “Todd Royal,” 20; charged with an attempted carjacking.

U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver said, “Law enforcement’s top priority is the safety of our citizens.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work hand in hand with our federal and state law enforcement partners to remove dangerous criminals who traffick in guns, drugs and fear in the Savannah area.  Let me be clear.  I believe that some people are dangerous and need to go to prison, sometimes for a very long time.  But, arresting criminals is not the only answer to Savannah’s violent crime problem.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to provide its support to a number of other anti-crime initiatives, including recidivism reduction campaigns and the City’s “Step Forward” strategy.  Working together, we can end the violent crime problems plaguing the great city of Savannah.”

District Attorney Meg Heap stated, “I have said before that the key to the success of the Step Forward strategy is a consistent, collaborative effort from all stakeholders in Savannah and Chatham County.  This recent effort is just one step in the journey to stop violence and develop long term positive change in our community. I want to commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office and all of the law enforcement agencies who were involved in this operation.”     

Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr., Chief of Police of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department said, “This is a great example of how collaborations between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies can effect real change in reducing violent crime.  The goal of our “End Gun Violence:  Step Forward” initiative is to target individuals such as these prohibited gun carriers as well as get illegal guns off the street.  The citizens of Savannah and Chatham County can expect to see more of this focused teamwork and prosecution aimed at the .5% percent of our population who are engaged in gun violence and are creating fear in our neighborhoods.”

Mr. Tarver emphasized that criminal charges are accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.