More than a dozen men are behind bars and facing federal charges as part of a joint operation to crack down on violent offenders in the Houston area.
A total of 14 men were jailed after being charged in various crimes, including drug trafficking, possessing a “Glock switch” and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced Thursday.
The following suspects were taken into custody on Wednesday: Anthony Ketchum, 35; Anthony Yezeno-Hopkins, 38; Brandon Milson, 32; Hassani Mills, 34; Jaylyn Pinson, 29; Josue Rodriguez, 32; Keith Moore, 34; Michael Henry, 32; Myles Smith, 23; Robert Thomas, 29; Sterling Brumant, 26; Titus Baisey, 35 and Toree White, 27, according to a news release.
FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith told KPRC 2 that FBI tactical teams from around the state came in, and more than 200 personnel were spread across the county. They surrounded the homes of the accused criminals and arrested them around 6 a.m. on Wednesday. “For every criminal that we take off the streets, that’s one less person being victimized,” Smith said.
A federal grand jury returned the 11-count indictment on Dec. 7 for federal violations including drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm.
“Guns and drugs. They fuel violent crime,” Smith said.
According to court records, several of the men have lengthy criminal histories in Harris County.
“Federal charges are usually longer sentences,” Smith said. “It’s much harder to be released on bond on the federal side than it is on the state side.”
“We’re going to use every resource available to make sure that we’re dismantling gangs, that we are dismantling criminal networks, and that’s important,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at the September announcement.
The FBI arrested seven men in October for allegations including conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and carrying a weapon in relation to a drug trafficking offense, the DOJ said in a news release.
“We will keep chipping away at these criminal enterprises to reduce the crime in the Houston area – that’s our job,” Smith said.
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