Eleven Charged in North Texas for Firearms and Drug Trafficking
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould announced charges in an investigation led by the ATF.
Event · Published · 2 min read
Media: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · Paul Sableman · Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet · Jeffreyharmison · Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) · Douglas of Douglas, Archibald Douglas, Baron; Hamilton, James George Hamilton, Duke of
Eleven individuals have been charged with various firearms and drug trafficking offenses in North Texas, as announced by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. The charges come following an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as part of a violent crimes reduction initiative in Abilene.
All defendants are currently in federal custody and made their initial appearances before U. S. Magistrate Judge John R.
Parker. The charges include conspiracy and attempt to transfer firearms for use in felony and drug trafficking crimes, methamphetamine distribution, and illegal possession of a machine gun.
Firearms Trafficking and Related Offenses
Seven individuals face charges related to firearms trafficking. Larry Don Knight, Kenneth Dwayne Tittle, and Dylan Tyler Todd are charged with conspiracy and attempt to transfer firearms for use in felony and drug trafficking crimes. Knight is additionally charged with methamphetamine distribution. Tittle and Todd, both convicted felons, are also charged with selling firearms to a known prohibited person.
Randall Kent Whitaker and Brandi Michelle Whitaker are charged with conspiracy to transfer a firearm for use in felony and drug trafficking crimes. They allegedly trafficked firearms in Abilene, including sales to a known felon, with the understanding that the firearms were bound for Mexican cartels.
Josiah Haynesworth is charged with sale or transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person and trafficking in firearms. Justine Aten Harris is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, allegedly selling multiple firearms to a confidential informant.
Methamphetamine Trafficking
Coby Dale Foust, Jesseca Denah Foust, and Christal Louise Rule are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. They are accused of trafficking significant quantities of methamphetamine in the Abilene, Anson, and Albany areas of Texas.
Illegal Machine Gun Possession
Aiden Ochoa is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun. The complaint alleges that Ochoa possessed a handgun equipped with an illegal machine gun conversion device, commonly known as a "Glock switch," in Abilene.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF Dallas Division and the Abilene Police Department. Assistant U. S.
Attorneys Matthew L. Tusing and Jordan Magee are prosecuting the cases.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges and allegations are not proof of guilt. Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Sources (1)
TradepilotUSA News writes each story in its own words from the independent reports listed above and links to them. How we report · Report a correction
