Indictment Charges Hartford Man on Federal Supervised Release with Illegally Possessing Loaded Firearm

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging KEVIN BARCO, 41, of Hartford, with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

The indictment was returned on September 3, 2025.  Barco appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.  He has been detained since his arrest by Hartford Police on related state charges on April 24, 2025.

The indictment alleges that, on April 24, 2025, Barco possessed a Springfield Armory XD .40 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number and a high-capacity magazine loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition.

The indictment further alleges that Barco’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for weapon, robbery, and larceny offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of the charge, Barco faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  He also faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

On September 27, 2021, Barco was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 39 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun.  He was released from federal prison in April 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  A charge is only an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Harford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Sentencings, Plea Hearings in Southwest Georgia Armed Drug Trafficking Case

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

28 Firearms, Two Machineguns, Meth, Fentanyl Seized in Multi-Level Law Enforcement Effort

ALBANY, Ga. – Ten defendants involved in an armed drug trafficking organization are being held accountable for their crimes at the federal level, resulting from a multi-level law enforcement effort in southwest Georgia that seized 30 firearms, including two machineguns, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl.

“This case amplifies the kinds of efforts across the Middle District of Georgia to get guns and drugs off our streets and make the communities we serve safer for everyone,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our office is working alongside law enforcement at every level to identify the most egregious offenders to hold them accountable at the federal level.”

“As part of our ongoing efforts under Operation Take Back America, this case highlights the ATF’s crucial role in combating the intersection of gun violence and drug trafficking. We will continue to leverage our resources to ensure that those who endanger our communities face justice,” said ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Davis.

“Collaboration with our state, local and federal partners was key to bringing these ten defendants to justice for trafficking drugs in Georgia communities,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Together, we are making our neighborhoods safer by removing violent offenders, dangerous weapons and deadly narcotics from our streets.”

The following ten defendants have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing:

Devin Covon Randle, 29, of Albany, was sentenced to serve 192 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release on Sept. 24, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on March 25;

Roy Clinton Billingsley, 35, of Albany, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release on Sept. 24, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on May 22;

Wade Lanier Tucker, 40, of Albany, was sentenced to 96 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on Feb. 28, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Aug. 8, 2024;

Jessica Julianne Raines, 40, of Albany, was sentenced to 72 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on Dec. 16, 2024, after she previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on May 15, 2024;

Mitchell Alexander Hilson, 30, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Sept. 24, 2025, and is facing a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026;

Rico Lashun Hall, 32, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 24, 2025, and is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026;

Konterrious Antwon James, 44, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 10, 2025, and is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026;

Bernard Charbrion Holsey, 29, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 10, 2025, and is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026;

Brennan Terrell Woods, 35, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 10, 2025, and is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026; and

Marcena Leundra Jordan, 32, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Aug. 5, 2025, and is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026.

Co-defendant Rasheen Malik Garrett, 30, of Albany, is a fugitive and is charged by the indictment in this case filed on Aug. 14, 2024, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of use of a drug-involved premise and is facing a maximum of life imprisonment. An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

If anyone has information regarding Garrett’s whereabouts, anonymous tips can be submitted to the GBI by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner is presiding over the case. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, federal and state law enforcement began a criminal investigation in 2023 to target armed drug trafficking in southwest Georgia. During six months, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine and firearms from Hilson, Randle and several co-conspirators in Albany between July and December 2023. At the conclusion of the investigation, law enforcement executed court-authorized search warrants at multiple local Albany hotels, which resulted in the recovery of additional quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone and numerous firearms. In total, law enforcement seized 28 firearms, two machineguns, 2.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, nine grams of fentanyl and 30 grams of cocaine.

The collaborative effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Albany Dougherty Special Investigation Unit (ADSIU) and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Fruitland Man Charged with Second-Degree Murder

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland man has been indicted on federal charges in connection with the murder of a woman.

According to court documents, on December 9, 2024, Timothy Begay, 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, intentionally killed Jane Doe.

Begay is charged with second degree murder and will be released third-party to a halfway house pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Begay faces up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Security News: FY26 Q4 Data Due

Source: United States Department of Justice

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Please submit your agency’s FY26 Q4 data on FOIA.gov.   If your agency will not submit the data by October 30th, please email DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov


Updated September 30, 2025

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Security News: FY26 Q3 Data Due

Source: United States Department of Justice

Event

Date:

Virtual Event

Please submit your agency’s FY26 Q3 data on FOIA.gov.   If your agency will not submit the data by July 31st, please email DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov


Updated September 30, 2025

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FOIA