RESULTS
IN ARRESTS ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES
Michael E. Varnum,
Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Norfolk Division of the FBI, and
Dennis Mook, Chief of the Newport News Police Department, announced
today that federal arrest warrants, based on criminal complaints, were
recently issued by a U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of Virginia,
in the Norfolk Federal Courthouse, Norfolk, Virginia against twelve
individuals in the Newport News area based on their alleged violations
of various federal narcotics laws, including conspiracy to distribute
cocaine. A number of arrests were made last night and this morning,
and one person remains at large. Moreover, five federal search warrants
were executed this morning in the Newport News area in connection with
these arrests. According to the complaint, most of these individuals
are believed to have been involved in violent criminal acts, along with
the trafficking of cocaine and cocaine base, commonly known as crack.
Those against whom federal arrest warrants were issued for violations
of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846, involving conspiracy
to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more
of crack cocaine and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, are:
1. William Eric Bolton, aka Jahiem Pierce, age 30, arrested last night
at Newport News International Airport;
2. Daimon Ormondo
Bunch, aka Sneaky/Sneaky D, age 23, arrested last night at Newport News
International Airport;
3. Jervonne Darcile
Harris, aka Fat Vaughn, age 24, arrested last night at Newport News
International Airport;
4. Leo Lavar Vaughn,
aka Vaboo, age 21, currently at large;
5. Lacori Geno
Alexander, aka Cocoa, age 24, arrested this morning;
6. Levar Contrelle
Alexander, aka Lee Lee, age 24, arrested by Hampton Police Department
on 7/03/03, and still in State custody;
7. Dominique Deon
Jowers, age 23, arrested this morning;
8. Sean Lorenzo
Snead, age 27, arrested during the night at a social club;
9. Larry Quaison
Hailey, aka Puck, age25, arrested during the night at a social club;
10. Jesse Tramont
Gilmore, aka J Pooh, age 26, arrested in February on State charges and
still in State custody;
11. Deon Andre
Richardson, age 28, arrested this morning in a cab;
12. Christopher
Jowers Bradley, age 21 , arrested earlier.
Another individual,
Galvino Green, aka Big Daddy, age 29, was charged with possession with
intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States
Code, Section 841. He was arrested this morning.
This investigation was initiated in the spring of 2002, and its primary
focus has been in the east end area of downtown Newport News, Virginia.
The investigation established that certain co-conspirators obtained
large quantities of cocaine from Houston, Texas suppliers, which they
later distributed as cocaine and crack cocaine within a small region
in the east end of downtown Newport News, where widespread violent crimes
and significant illegal drug trafficking took place on a daily basis.
The investigation revealed that the cocaine was transported from Houston
by commercial airlines, rental vehicles, and personal vehicles, and
once in the Newport News area, most of it was converted into crack.
A number of investigative techniques were successfully employed, including
the controlled purchase of drugs by law enforcement officers.
The Newport News Police Department and the FBI believe this joint investigative
effort will have a strong and positive impact on the affected community
and the surrounding region. Newport News Chief of Police Mook said that
"today's and the recent arrests were the result of a tenacious
investigation by the Newport News Police Department and the FBI. We
are determined to continue our partnership to remove these types of
criminals from the community." FBI SAC Michael E. Varnum agreed,
and added that "this joint investigation with the Newport News
Police Department represents an example of the FBI's continuing commitment
to address serious criminal activity within our local communities through
a focused and tailored use of its resources. The trail of violence which
follows criminal enterprises often requires collaboration among our
local, state and federal law enforcement partners. I applaud the Newport
News Police Department's dedication and its highly skilled officers
and investigators who have contributed to this effort."
All arrests and searches to date have occurred without incident. As
noted above, the following individual now remains at large:
Leo Lavar Vaughn, aka Vaboo, age 21.
His photograph is available upon request to the FBI (call Colleen Swayne
at 455-2744). If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, please
call 1-800-LOCK-U-UP, or the FBI at 455-0100.
The Assistant United States Attorney responsible for prosecuting this
matter is Laura P. Tayman.
No further details will be provided at this time, and there will be
no press conference.
