Law Enforcement in the Compton area is taking a stance on gun violence by seizing those who posses firearms and seem to be pretty serious about it.
Over the course of the year, an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been taking place in the Compton area and Mona Park in Willowbrook. The investigation is targeting the sale of guns and, so far, authorities have been able to take over 100 illegal firearms off of the streets.
According to the report, in the morning of July 14th, members of the ATF, along with additional authorities arrested six suspects for alleged illegal firearm sales and drug sales. Two additional suspects were reported to being fugitives, who are being searched for by authorities.
Attorney Eileen M. Decker stated, “The illegal firearms trade fuels violence on the streets…As we work to stem violent crime in and around Compton, we will, therefore target those who are sources of the firearms and narcotics that sustain these underground markets”.
The suspects that were taken into custody face various charges and face significant jail time if convicted.
The eight who were arrested were identified as – Jamie Maurice Thomas, who is a fugitive, Francisco Juantonio Hilt, a.k.a. “Freebo”, Sean Ronaldo Alexander, Tavon Dejuan Pickett, a.k.a. “Bucket”, Robert Ennis Goree, the other fugitive, Leonard Smith a.k.a. “Smoke”, Gerald Tynes a.k.a. “Milkman”, and Lekori Lee Terrance were all charged for conspiracy of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and being a felon in possession of firearms.
Thomas, Hilt, and Alexander also face an additional charge of the sale of a firearm to a prohibited person.
Tynes and Terrance face a number of additional charges including the distribution of crack cocaine, the distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, and the distribution of PCP.
All of the suspects face federal charges and were arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles on July 14th, hours after they were arrested, said the report.
If found guilty, all suspects face significant sentences ranging from 20 years to life in federal prison.
