United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida
07/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/09/2026 15:05
Homeland Security Task Force Charges Dozens in South Florida with Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking Crimes, 94 Firearms Seized
MIAMI - U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, joined by federal and local law enforcement partners, announced today the results of a two-month, multi-agency enforcement initiative targeting repeat violent offenders in Palm Beach County.
In May, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Miami Field Division launched "Operation Hurricane," an enhanced enforcement initiative focused on combating violent crime and disrupting the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms throughout South Florida. As part of the operation, ATF deployed personnel from across the country to work alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies, providing specialized expertise in tactical operations, technical support, and undercover investigations.
To date, the ATF-led initiative has resulted in federal charges against and the arrest of 38 federal defendants and 8 state defendants, most of whom are Palm Beach County residents facing firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. Law enforcement also seized 94 firearms, including semiautomatic rifles and handguns, along with more than 600 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, investigators seized approximately 9.4 kilograms of illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, and other controlled substances.
"As we've seen in Memphis, Washington, D.C., and now South Florida, targeted law enforcement surges drive down crime," said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald. "Operation Hurricane is the latest success: over two months of focused enforcement by ATF and its partners removed nearly 100 illegal firearms from communities, along with significant quantities of illegal drugs and controlled substances. We commend ATF and all our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their relentless efforts to hold violent repeat offenders accountable and make our neighborhoods safer."
"Operation Hurricane shows the Homeland Security Task Force model at work: federal, state, and local law enforcement moving as one team to identify the drivers of violence and remove illegal guns and drugs from our streets," said U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones. "This was dangerous, difficult work. Our agents and officers went into harm's way to save lives in Palm Beach County and across South Florida. Because of their courage and professionalism, 46 defendants, 94 firearms, and kilograms of deadly narcotics are now off the street."
"This enforcement initiative demonstrates ATF's unwavering commitment to reducing violent crime by identifying and targeting the individuals who pose the greatest threat to our communities," said ATF Director Rob Cekada. "ATF-led surge operations such as Operation Hurricane in south Florida supports the White House's violent crime strategy and the Homeland Security Task Force - by focusing our investigative resources on known members of violent gangs, transnational criminal organizations, cartels and other prolific offenders. Our ATF Miami Field Division personnel removed 38 dangerous criminals from our streets, disrupted criminal groups, armed robbery crews, firearms trafficking cells, drug trafficking networks, and thus, made our neighborhoods significantly safer. These results will have a lasting impact and are a testament to the dedication of our special agents, and law enforcement partners who work every day to protect the public through strategic, intelligence-driven enforcement."
"These criminals posed a serious threat to the well-being of Palm Beach County residents and the actions of our dedicated law enforcement partners in getting these weapons and drugs off the streets will lead to safer communities," said Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division.
"This case demonstrates what is possible when law enforcement agencies work together with a shared commitment to protecting our community," said Police Chief Tony Araujo of the West Palm Beach Police Department. Strong partnerships, open communication, and coordinated efforts were essential to advancing this investigation and bringing those responsible to justice."
The charges were brought via federal indictments and criminal complaints over the past few weeks.
Operation Hurricane Defendants:
| Name | Age | City of Residence | Charges | |
| Antwuan Alexander | 23 | Lake Park | Felon in possession of a firearm | |
| Sarne Barfield | 38 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to distribute 28 grams of crack cocaine | |
| Henry Bennett Jr. | 50 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine) | |
| Simon Black | 24 | Lake Worth | Conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance | |
| Nevara Brown | 32 | Port Saint Lucie |
Felon in possession of a firearm Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime |
|
| Woodley David | 35 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine) | |
| Carlos Dennard | 55 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to distribute 28 grams of crack cocaine | |
| Chris Duncan Jr. | 56 | Riviera Beach | Distribution of a controlled substance | |
| Liosbel Guillermo Ferrer Ortiz | 29 | Palm Bay |
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery Attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition |
|
| Dequan Fleming | 30 | Riviera Beach |
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime |
|
| Camaron Furlow | 26 | Fort Myers |
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance |
|
| Taron Furlow | 28 | Fort Myers |
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance |
|
| Dametria Alexandria Gibson | 29 | Belle Glade |
Federal possession of unregistered firearms Felon in possession of a firearms |
|
| Shon Lashard Grimsley | 33 | West Palm Beach |
Distribution of a controlled substance Distribution of a controlled substance Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery Attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition |
|
| Edward Lamar Hamilton III | 26 | Riviera Beach |
Federal possession of unregistered firearms Felon in possession of a firearm |
|
| Deonte Harry | 28 | Daytona Beach | Felon in possession of a firearm | |
| Gavlyn Renard Hooks | 42 | West Palm Beach |
Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of a cocaine base Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance Possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a cocaine base |
|
| Stephanie Hugee | 42 | Fort Pierce | Distribution of a controlled substance | |
| Michael Jean | 24 | Lake Worth | Felon in possession of a firearm | |
| Joseph Jerome, Jr. | 39 | West Palm Beach |
Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime Possession of firearms by a convicted felon |
|
| Derick Julien | 35 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to traffic firearms and trafficking firearms | |
| John Phillip King | 38 | West Palm Beach |
Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance to include 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon |
|
| Raleigh Markale Lewis | 47 | Riviera Beach |
Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of a cocaine base Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance Possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a cocaine base |
|
| Carlos Lorenzo Linder, Jr. | 20 | Riviera Beach |
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery Attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery |
|
| Alonzo Little | 29 | Fort Myers |
Conspiracy to transfer firearms to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance |
|
| Dallas Little | 29 | Fort Myers |
Felon in possession of a firearm Conspiracy to transfer firearms to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance |
|
| Larry Little | 31 | Lehigh Acres |
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance |
|
| Rayan Masamvu | 26 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance | |
| Tyran McNeal | 24 | Riviera Beach |
Felon in possession of a firearm Distribution of a controlled substance Possession of a firearm during and in relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime |
|
| Milton Andrew Richardson | 40 | West Palm Beach |
Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance to include 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon |
|
| Sagon Mickaletoe Steward | 38 | West Palm Beach |
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance Conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery Attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition |
|
| Antony Stokes | 23 | Riviera Beach |
Conspiracy to traffic firearms and trafficking firearms Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon |
|
| Robert Lee Turner, Jr. | 31 | Riviera Beach |
Distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance Distribution of 28 grams or more of a Schedule II controlled substance |
|
| Kevin Walker | 34 | Pahokee | Felon in possession of a firearm | |
| Jarvis Williams | 31 | West Palm Beach | Felon in possession of a firearm | |
| David Woodley | 35 | West Palm Beach | Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine) | |
| Marcus Young | 30 | Lake Park |
Distribution of a controlled substance over 50 grams of a mixture Distribution of a controlled substance over 40 grams or more Distribution of a controlled substance |
|
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones acknowledged and commended the investigative efforts of ATF, DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, and the West Palm Beach Police Department.
The federal prosecutions are being coordinated by West Palm Beach Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam McMichael and West Palm Beach Narcotics Chief Daniel Funk.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Miami comprises of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, USMS, HSI, and HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The charges contained in indictments and complaints are not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
###
United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida published this content on July 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 09, 2026 at 21:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]