Numerous Individuals Charged as Part of Operation Brightside

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The United States Attorney announces multiple new indictments against individuals in mid-Missouri, returned by a grand jury in Jefferson City, Missouri on November 18, 2025.

The following individuals were each charged with being in possession of a firearm after a prior felony conviction:

• Thomas Adam Abbey, Jr., 38, of Columbia;
• Paul Stewart Arnall, 35, of Columbia;
• David Tyler Blair, 27, of Columbia;
• Frank Cortez Bonaparte, 44, of Columbia;
• Jordan Booker, 31, of Jefferson City;
• Jaimonte Tremelle Cooper, 34, of Columbia;
• James Elvaughn Hanton, 45, of Columbia;
• Malachi Allen Hughes, 21, of Columbia;
• Paul Allen Johnson, 58, of Columbia;
• Quinton Marquez Miller, 27, of Columbia;
• Leo Demarcus Roland, 34, of Columbia;
• Tyrone Sabb, 49, of Columbia;
• Justin Terrell Shelton, 31, of Columbia;
• Terrell Maurice Sims, 29, of Columbia;
• Damon Lashay Thompson, 25, of Columbia;
• Timmy Ray Whittle, 69, of Lohman, Mo.

If convicted, these individuals will face up to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Several other defendants were also indicted by the grand jury in Jefferson City, Missouri, on November 18, 2025, and charged with other crimes.

• Kenneth Ryan Williams, 41, and Asia Javone Shafer, 24, were both charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as separate counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Williams is also alleged to have possessed a firearm after a prior felony conviction.
• Dexter Terrell Mason, 45, of Jefferson City, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges contained in all these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley S. Turner, Jim Lynn, Aaron M. Maness, Cecily L. Hicks, and Lauren E. Kummerer.