Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Four from the Mahoning Valley Indicted for Firearms Crimes
Four people from the Mahoning Valley were indicted in federal court on firearms charges, and, in some cases, drug trafficking charges.
Named in separate indictments are: Daylen Harris, 39, of Youngstown; Marvin Howell, Jr., 39, of Boardman; Antonio Dukes, 30, of Warren, and Donald Sims, 36, of Warren.
“These indictments demonstrate our commitment to prosecute people who carry firearms when they are not allowed by law to have them,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Not surprisingly, several of these defendants were also involved in the sale of fentanyl, heroin and other deadly drugs, and using firearms as part of their drug trafficking.”
“These cases are the result of great collaboration from all the agencies involved, local and federal,” said Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force Commander Larry McLaughlin.
“There is no place in our community for those who use firearms for violent, criminal purposes,” said Trevor A. Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to bring those individuals to justice and make the Mahoning Valley area safer for all of its residents.”
Harris was indicted on charges of trafficking crack cocaine, possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of firearms.
Harris repeatedly sold crack cocaine in May and June 2017. He used a several firearms in connection with his drug trafficking, including a Norinco SKS 7.62 mm rifle, a Plainfield Machine model M1 .30 rifle, a Russian SKS-45 7.62 mm rifle, a Taurus 9 mm pistol and a Taurus .380 pistol. Harris was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of a previous conviction for possession of cocaine, according to the indictment.
Howell was indicted on charges of possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of firearms.
Howell possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute the drug on Nov. 16, 2017, as well firearms related to his drug trafficking activities, including a Glock 9 mm pistol, an RG Industries .22 revolver, a Smith & Wesson .40 pistol and ammunition. Howell was prohibited from possessing these firearms and ammunition because of a prior conviction for drug trafficking, according to the indictment.
Dukes was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Dukes has prior convictions for possession of heroin and assault on a law enforcement officer, but on Dec. 21, 2017, he was in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol and ammunition, according to the indictment.
Sims was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He possessed a Star, model PS, .45 caliber pistol and ammunition, after having been previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the indictment.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer following investigations by the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Warren Police Department.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt