Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Spokane, Washington, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Jamecus Lushawn Hodges, age 40, was indicted on February 13, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 21, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on December 8, 2018, in Brule County, South Dakota, Hodges knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly receive and possess a firearm. The charges are merely accusations and Hodges is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. Hodges was released pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

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