HOUSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Texas, Southern), published as received.
HOUSTON – A total of 14 people are now in custody for various violations to include drug trafficking, possessing a “Glock switch” and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Those taken into custody yesterday include Houston residents Anthony Ketchum, 35, Anthony Yezeno-Hopkins, 38, Brandon Milson, 32, Hassani Mills, 34, Jaylyn Pinson, 29, Josue Rodriguez, 32, Keith Moore, 34, Michael Henry, 32, Myles Smith, 23, Robert Thomas, 29, Sterling Brumant, 26, Titus Baisey, 35 and Toree White, 27.
Henry, Baisey and Smith are expected to make their initial appearances at 2 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan. Brumant was arrested in California and ordered detained pending further criminal proceedings.
Also charged is Julian Herrera, 26, was previously in custody on related charges. He made his appearance yesterday in Houston along with the other nine men.
Detention hearings are set to begin Dec. 19 at 9 a.m.
A federal grand jury returned the 11-count indictment Dec. 7.
With the exception of Thomas and Rodriguez, the remaining men are charged with possession with intent to deliver meth. They face up to life in prison and could be ordered to pay fines up to $10 million. Moore faces an additional charge of possession with intent to deliver heroin which carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.
The indictment also alleges Thomas unlawfully possessed a firearm - a device made and intended to convert a semi-automatic pistol to being fully automatic aka Glock auto switch. If convicted, he faces a 10-year possible sentence.
Rodriguez is alleged to have been in possession of a firearm - Ruger 5.7 mm. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from federal law of such and could also be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years if found guilty.
The arrests come on the heels of another case involving violent crime as well as a joint announcement on the surge of resources to fight violent crime in Houston.
The FBI and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Collins is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
