Los Angeles, CA – Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other law enforcement authorities arrested six people charged in three federal indictments that allege illegal firearms sales and drug distribution.
- The arrests stem from an ATF-led investigation targeting the sale of guns in and around Compton
- During the course of the year-long investigation, authorities took more than 100 illegally trafficked firearms off the streets
- Those taken into custody face various federal charges, including conspiracy, illegal firearm sales, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and trafficking in crack cocaine and PCP
- Two other defendants named in the indictments are fugitives who are being sought by authorities
- A fourth grand jury indictment charges one defendant who also remains a fugitive, and that indictment will remain under seal until that defendant is taken into custody
- The eight defendants are charged across three indictments that were recently returned by a federal grand jury
CHARGED DEFENDANTS
- Jamie Maurice Thomas, 37, of South Los Angeles, who is a fugitive
- Francisco Juantonio Hilt, also known as “Freebo,” 39, of Compton
- Sean Ronaldo Alexander, 37, of South Los Angeles, are all charged with conspiracy, engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and sale of a firearm to a prohibited person
- Tavon Dejuan Pickett, aka “Bucket,” 29, of Compton
- Robert Ennis Goree, 41, of South Los Angeles, who remains a fugitive
- Leonard Smith, aka “Smoke,” 35, of South Los Angeles, who are charged with conspiracy; engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license; being a felon in possession of firearms; and
- Gerald Tynes, aka “Milkman,” 59, of South Los Angeles
- Lekori Lee Terrance, aka “Slim,” 33, of Bellflower, who are charged with: conspiracy, engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, distribution of crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and distribution of PCP
- If convicted of all counts against them, the defendants would face statutory maximum sentences ranging from 20 years in federal prison for Terrance to as much as 310 years for Tynes
- The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan J. DeWitt of the Violent and Organized Crime Section
- An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty