Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Carlos M. Gonzalez, Public Information Officer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Office, Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), and Amos Rojas, Jr., United States Marshal, United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, announce the filing of federal charges against 29 defendants in 23 separate cases for their alleged participation in criminal conduct, including a narcotics trafficking conspiracy, narcotics trafficking offenses and firearms-related violations.  
 
During the course of the law enforcement operation, the defendants, as charged, sold a total of 285 firearms to undercover officers, including AR-15s, AKs, pistols, revolvers, a short barrel rifle and a police sniper rifle.  The charged defendants also collectively sold heroin, flakka, cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana to undercover law enforcement officers. 
 
United States Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “It is because of the collective law enforcement efforts of our federal and local partners that 285 unlawfully possessed firearms were taken off of Broward County streets.  Today’s announcement should serve as a reminder to those who contaminate the communities we live in with criminal activity that we will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute these important cases.”

“The streets are safer, and the good people of Pompano Beach can sleep a little easier knowing that these drug dealers and firearms traffickers are off the street. Their days of dealing drugs and selling firearms, perpetuating violence in our community, are over.  ATF works extensively with local law enforcement to investigate, apprehend and prosecute those who use firearms to commit acts of violent crime in our communities.  This investigation is a perfect example of how local and federal agencies working together can remove criminals from the streets of our communities.  ATF commends our federal and local law enforcement partners, especially the leadership of U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer and his office in the relentless prosecution of armed, violent and dangerous offenders,” said Carlos M. Gonzalez, Public Information Officer ATF Miami Field Division.
 
“This is a prime example of how one crime is almost always related to and/or leads to another type of criminal activity.  Where there is drug trafficking, often times there are guns associated with the activity and when combined; there is a definite danger to innocent people.  DEA remains committed and dedicated to stopping criminals in their tracks, and getting them off the streets through joint efforts with our law enforcement partners,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright.
 
“Through diligent efforts, this successful partnership identified, investigated and secured prosecution for more than two dozen dangerous individuals responsible for narcotics and firearms trafficking, throughout South Florida,” said Broward Sheriff Scott Israel. “We’ll never know how many crimes we prevented with these arrests, but our residents and visitors are safer with these criminals off the street.”
 
“Locating and arresting individuals who engage in criminal activity is the primary day to day mission of our fugitive task force in the Southern District of Florida, as well as working with law enforcement officers from a variety of different agencies,” stated U.S. Marshal Amos Rojas Jr. “There is no doubt taking these alleged criminals off our streets “saves lives.” The men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service in South Florida take great pride in accomplishing this dangerous mission.”
 
The Indictments announced today relate to law enforcement’s collective efforts to combat unlawful firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking in the Pompano Beach area. 
 
Charged in firearms-related Indictments are Francisco Lazaro Acosta, a/k/a “Chino,” 31, of Fort Lauderdale, James Rodney Baker, a/k/a “Bake,” a/k/a "Bubba,” 32, of Pompano Beach, Terrance Roshaud Demps, a/k/a “J.R.,” 28, of Pompano Beach, Rashaun Gaskin, a/k/a “Shaun,” 19, of Fort Lauderdale, Davon Gilbert, a/k/a “Von,” 19, of Plantation, Edwin Nathan Oliver, a/k/a Edwin Olivert,” 35, of Deerfield Beach, Adrian Stephens, 24, of Tamarac, and Otis Thomas, a/k/a “Fat,” 25, of Pompano Beach.
 
Acosta, Baker, Demps and Thomas are also charged with narcotics-related offenses. 
 
Charged in narcotics-related Indictments are Alex Bernadin, a/k/a “Ace,” 33, of Deerfield Beach, Jamise Bozeman, a//k/a “J,” 25, of Pompano Beach, Antonio Brown, a/k/a “Big T,” 38 of Pompano Beach, Marcus Depre, 28, of Pompano Beach, Ronald Dutervil, a/k/a “Chris,” 30, of Pompano Beach, Kurt Edward Hanford, 52, of Pompano Beach, Frantz Jacques, a/k/a “Tim,” 34, of Lauderdale Lakes, Terrance Jacsaint, a/k/a “TJ,” 26, of Lantana, Dieuphen Joseph, 28, of Pompano Beach, Vila Desir Jozama, a/k/a “V,” 25, of Pompano Beach, Awince Lasseur, a/k/a “Snowman,” 28, of Pompano Beach, Seaton Letts, Jr., 30, of Pompano Beach, Anthony Tavaris Morris, a/k/a “Amp,” 33, of Pompano Beach, Rodney Levon Newkirk, 20, of Lauderhill, Denny Prenelus, a/k/a “DC,” 25, of Pompano Beach, Wisley Prenelus, a/k/a “Wis,” 33, of  Pompano Beach, Walson Prophilis, a/k/a “Wat Wat,” 32, of Pompano Beach, Douglas Tavaris Russell, a/k/a/ “T,” 31, of Pompano Beach, Henry D. Smith, a/k/a “Boss,” 36, of Fort Lauderdale, Michel-Ange Silien, 29, of Pompano Beach, and Jason Howard Tripp, a/k/a “Gucci Guch,” 31, of Boynton Beach. 
 
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ATF, DEA, BSO and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Brown, Corey Steinberg, Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Terry Lindsey, William T. Shockley.
 
An Indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.   
 
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.