Federal Authorities Respond to Violent Crime in Mayfield with Announcement of Project Safe Neighborhoods Operation

MAYFIELD, Ky. – United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman, joined by Louisville Field Division Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Stuart L. Lowrey, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Darrell Christopher Evans, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rick Sanders, Mayfield Police Department Chief Nathan Kent, and other partners announced the initial arrests related to an operation cracking down against violent criminal activity within Graves County, Kentucky.

A federal grand jury in Paducah, Kentucky, returned 14 charges in five indictments leading to the arrests of five people connected to the sale of guns and drugs in Mayfield, Kentucky. All of the defendants are in federal custody following initial appearances in U.S. District Court.

 “The feds have come knocking in Mayfield along with our law enforcement partners from across the Purchase,” stated U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman, “To send a message that this lawlessness will not be tolerated. Stay tuned as there is more to come.”  

“All too often, drug dealers use guns to further their violent criminal activities,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Stuart Lowrey, of the Louisville Field Division. “ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to assist in identifying, arresting and prosecuting armed and violent criminals.”

Gabriel Vejar, 21, Keith Holliman, 26, Ahmad Perry, 28, Getrudis Vargas, 42, and Kevin Gray, 45, all from the Mayfield, Kentucky area are charged in the indictments.

• Gabriel A. Vejar is charged in a one count indictment of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Smith and Wesson, model SD40VE, .40 caliber pistol. If convicted at trial, the maximum sentence for unlawfully possessing a firearm is no more than 10 years in prison a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
• Keith A. Holliman is charged in a six count indictment. According to the charges, Holliman knowingly possessed a firearm, a Clerke Technicorp, model Clerke 1^st, .22 long rifle caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number; the defendant also faces two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; two counts of carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking; and one count of being an illegal recipient of a firearm by a person under indictment. If convicted at trial, the maximum sentence on counts 1 and 4 is no more than five years; counts 2 and 5 carry no more than 20 years in prison; count 3 carries a minimum of five years in prison; and count 6 is no less than 25 years in prison.
• Ahmad Perry is charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Jennings, model J-22, .22 caliber pistol and a SIG Sauer, model 238, .380 Auto caliber pistol. If convicted at trial, the maximum sentence for unlawfully possessing a firearm is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
• Getrudis Vargas is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine,   and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, a SCCY Industries, model CPX-2, 9 millimeter pistol. If convicted at trial, Vargas faces no less than 10 years for possession with intent to distribute, and no more than 10 years for being an illegal alien with a firearm.
• Kevin Gray is charged in a three count indictment. Gray was previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in 2011, prohibiting him from owning a firearm; on or about March 9, 2018, Gray possessed a Hi-Point 9 millimeter, model C-9 pistol, which he sold to a felon, according to the indictment. Gray is charged with two counts of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and one count of sale of a firearm to a felon; all counts carry no more than 10 year sentence, if convicted at trial.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Hancock and Madison Sewell and Special Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus,  and are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Kentucky State Police, Mayfield Police Department, Graves County Sheriff’s Office, McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, Murray Police Department, and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Kentucky.  A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that rings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Today’s indictments are part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative in the Western District of Kentucky.

The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

######