HOOD LIFE WITH GUNS: Two Teenagers Arrested with Ghost Guns
FORESTVILLE, MD – The Maryland State Police report that two teenagers prohibited from possessing firearms were arrested on gun charges after a state trooper stopped to assist a disabled vehicle on October 20, 2022, in Prince George’s County.
The first suspect is identified as Kamari Dameone Smith, 17, of District Heights, Maryland. Smith is charged as an adult with a loaded handgun on a person, possession of a firearm/minor, and other related gun charges. Smith was the driver of a 2017 Nissan Altima.
The second suspect is identified as Marquis Raynell Middleton, 16, of Clinton, Maryland. Middleton is charged as an adult with a loaded handgun on a person, possession of a firearm/minor, and other related gun charges. Middleton was seated behind the driver in the rear passenger seat.
Smith and Middleton were transported from the scene to the Upper Marlboro Jail.
Police say that the two other passengers in the vehicle were also juveniles. They are not being charged as adults. One was provided a civil citation for the possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana and released from the scene. The other juvenile was charged with criminal possession of CDS. He was transported to the Forestville Barrack and released to his parents who may wonder if they want to keep him.
Stinky Air Alerted Trooper to Nefarious Conduct Afoot
Shortly before 11:30 p.m. last night, a trooper from the Forestville Barrack stopped to check on a disabled vehicle parked on northbound Route 4, just prior to the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he detected the odor of marijuana. He subsequently made contact with the driver and the three passengers inside the vehicle.
The trooper observed marijuana inside the car and asked the driver to exit the vehicle. Once the driver, later identified as Smith, exited the vehicle, the trooper observed a handgun and placed him under arrest without incident. Smith’s handgun was later found to be loaded with a round in the chamber.
“Middleton, exited the vehicle and fled on foot to a nearby wooded area. Troopers observed that he was also carrying a gun. While troopers pursued Middleton on foot, he dropped the gun and continued to run. Middleton’s handgun was also later found to be loaded with a round in the chamber.“
MARYLAND STATE POLICE
Moments later, the rear passenger in the seat behind the driver, identified as Middleton, exited the vehicle and fled on foot to a nearby wooded area. Troopers observed that he was also carrying a gun. While troopers pursued Middleton on foot, he dropped the gun and continued to run. Middleton’s handgun was also later found to be loaded with a round in the chamber.
Shortly after midnight, police located Middleton in the woods. He was arrested without incident. Both juveniles were transported to the Forestville Barrack for processing.
Troopers contacted the Maryland Gun Center and it was determined both suspects were prohibited from possessing firearms due to their age. The firearms recovered from the scene are suspected ghost guns.
Troopers from the Forestville Barrack responded to the scene. Officers from the Prince George’s County Police Department responded to the scene for assistance.
Police say that no one was injured during the incident and no shots were fired.
GHOST GUNS AND SIXTEEN POUNDS OF POT
Narcotics Detectives Recover Four “Ghost Guns,” an AR-15 Rifle, 16 Pounds of Marijuana, LSD, and Drug Distribution Paraphernalia:
WALDORF, MD. – Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry reports that on July 8, 2022, as a result of an ongoing investigation into drug distribution allegations, members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section, with assistance from Emergency Services Teams from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant in the 5400 block of Gallant Green Road in Waldorf.
During the search, detectives recovered over 16 pounds of marijuana, more than 200 dosages of LSD, various THC products, a quantity of psilocybin mushrooms, drug distribution paraphernalia, and manufacturing equipment.
16 pounds of marijuana, more than 200 dosages of LSD, various THC products, a quantity of psilocybin mushrooms,
They also recovered four semi-automatics “ghost guns” – meaning the firearms did not have serial numbers – an AR-15 rifle, and cash.
Michael David Griffith Jr., 20 (DOB 11/14/2001) of 5482 Gallant Green Drive, Waldorf, and Nicole Ann Brown, 21 (DOB 05/21/2001) of 4830 Smitty Circle, White Plains, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of possession with the intent to distribute drugs, possession of firearms, drug trafficking, possession of drug manufacturing equipment, possession of a detached magazine with over ten rounds, and other related charges.
A judge ordered both Griffith and Brown to be held without bond at the Charles County Jail. On July 21, 2022, Judge Kenneth Talley let Griffith loose on a $500 bond and private home detention.
La Plata attorney Hammad Matin is listed on court records as representing Griffith for a trial set in Charles County District Court on December 6, 2022. While Griffith got a good attorney, Brown is being defended by a free public defender.
Assault with Ghost Gun Arrests
On August 18, 2022, deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station responded to a shooting at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Apple Street in Spring Valley. The preliminary investigation revealed members of a criminal street gang were involved in an argument with residents over spray paint tagging. The argument escalated, resulting in the suspects firing multiple rounds at the residents who were not struck by gunfire. An uninvolved citizen driving through the intersection was struck by at least one round. They were treated and released at a local hospital.
The East County Gang Street Team (ECGST) investigated and identified potential suspects.
On August 30, ECGST, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT) and San Diego Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), executed a search warrant on two residences.
Sheriff’s SED executed the warrant for a residence located at 12905 Mapleview Street in Lakeside. San Diego Police SWAT executed the warrant for a residence located in the 3500 block of 40th Street in the City of San Diego.
ECGST Detectives seized two 9mm unserialized “ghost” guns, a .40 caliber handgun, multiple high-capacity magazines, about 1,100 rounds of ammunition and additional evidence from the shooting. Detectives arrested Stephanie Fuentes (DOB 5/30/90), Miguel Fuentes Sr. (DOB 5/24/86), Eddie Padilla (DOB 4/06/01) and a juvenile male for multiple felony charges. The investigation is ongoing.
Las Vegas Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Machine Gun and “Ghost Guns”
LAS VEGAS – Alfonzo Lee Womack (29) pleaded guilty on August 23, 2022, to felon in possession of a firearm and illegal possession of a machine gun. U.S. District Judge Ann R. Traum scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2022.
According to court documents, on October 5, 2020, in a desert area near Sloan, Nev., Womack possessed and fired four firearms, including (a) a .40 caliber pistol, modified with a Glock Auto Switch, turning it into a machine gun; (b) a 9mm semi-automatic pistol; (c) a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a mounted laser and light; and (d) a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle. Additionally, Womack admitted that he possessed and fired two unserialized Privately Made Firearms, including a 5.56mm pistol and a 5.56mm short-barreled rifle. While shooting the firearms, Womack used high-capacity magazines. Womack has prior felony convictions in Clark County, Nev. and Sacramento County, Calif. He is prohibited by law from possessing any firearm.
Womack faces a total statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a period of supervised release, and a fine.
U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.
MECHANICS WANTED
