Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Four Men Indicted Federally in the Wake of an Increase in Gun Violence in West Palm Beach
Four men were indicted yesterday in the wake of an increase in gun violence in West Palm Beach.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Dave Aronberg, State Attorney, Palm Beach County, Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, Bryan Kummerlen, Chief, West Palm Beach Police Department and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement.
Patrick D. Turner, 21, Antonio Gaynus, 24, Devontae L. Colbert, 20, and Adrian Coleman, 25, all of West Palm Beach, were charged by indictment with being felons in possession of a firearm. If convicted and determined to be Armed Career Criminals, Turner and Coleman, face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Gaynus and Colbert face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The criminal complaints allege that on various dates the four defendants unlawfully possessed firearms.
On July 25, 2015, Turner, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol. On July 24, 2015, Gaynus, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol. On June 29, 2015, law enforcement officers with the West Palm Beach Police Department responded to a shooting at the Roosevelt Full Service Center School in West Palm Beach and found Colbert, a convicted felon, on the scene. Colbert allegedly attempted to conceal a firearm he possessed, by throwing it on top of a container. A forensic examination was conducted and Colbert’s blood and DNA was allegedly discovered on the recovered firearm. On July 15, 2015, Coleman, was the rear passenger of a vehicle and attempted to flee from the police during a traffic stop. Following his arrest, law enforcement discovered that Coleman had placed and attempted to conceal a loaded.45 caliber pistol in the vehicle.
These cases are the result of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is a Department of Justice nationwide initiative that combines traditional law enforcement activities with community-based support and intervention programs. The two primary goals of the PSN initiative are to reduce and prevent violent crimes and to help past offenders adjust and re-enter the community.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the ATF, West Palm Beach Police Department and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam McMichael.
A criminal indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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