Seven Arrested On Federal Drug And Gun Charges During Early Morning Round-up

Seven More Arrested This Morning Will Face Criminal State Charges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A total of 14 defendants were arrested earlier today and face federal and state criminal charges, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Seven of the defendants have been charged with federal drug and gun offenses, and seven face state criminal charges.

U.S. Attorney Tompkins is joined in making today’s announcement by Wayne L. Dixie, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division; Andrew Murray, District Attorney for Mecklenburg County; and Chief Rodney D. Monroe, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).

The defendants were apprehended during an early morning round-up conducted by ATF, the U.S. Marshals and CMPD. Those arrested and charged by federal criminal complaints include, in alphabetical order:

• Donuell Johnson a/k/a “Rock,” 29, of Charlotte.

• Waycus Luckett, a/k/a “Lucky,” 31, of Charlotte.

• Erecai Lynch, 26, of Charlotte.

• David Ray McCullough, 37, of Charlotte.

• Christopher Roseboro, 33, of Charlotte.

• Brandon Tate, 26, of Charlotte.

• Terrence Tate, 21, of Charlotte.

Click on the links below to view a chart of federal charges and penalties for each defendant:
Penalties

Federal arrest warrants have also been issued against Rodney Reid, 37, Jimareo Sherrill, 21, and Quandarius Shine, 23, all of Charlotte, who are still wanted by law enforcement.

Five additional defendants previously arrested on state charges have now been charged with federal offenses in connection with this investigation, bringing the total number of those charged federally to 15. They are: Jerry Lee Edwards, 27; Isiah Ezechukwu, a/k/a “Donte,” 26; Denis Joel Argueta Gonzalez, 20; Jamil Weaks, 19; and Darryl Whiteside, Jr., 26, all of Charlotte.

Seven more defendants arrested during this morning’s round-up face state criminal charges.

Over the course of the investigation law enforcement seized 10 firearms, including two loaded SKS rifles and stolen firearms brought into North Carolina from out of state.

Today’s arrests are the result of a four-month investigation targeting drug trafficking and violent crime in and around the Sugar Creek/Interstate 85 corridor. The agencies involved in this initiative are dedicated to working together to identify violent and repeat offenders for federal prosecution. This investigation, which began in early summer, is part of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s Anti-Violence Initiative, which calls for federal, state and local agencies to target violent crime hot spots and collaborate on developing strategies to reduce crime and violence in those communities.

In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Tompkins stated, “This morning’s arrests are the result of a joint law enforcement investigation targeting an area of Charlotte that is afflicted by crime and drug-fueled violence. I want to thank our law enforcement partners who united to identify and remove violent felons from our streets and let this be a warning that we will not sit on the sidelines while our neighborhoods are polluted with drugs and violence.”

“Today’s law enforcement operation in the Interstate 85 corridor area in Charlotte should send the clearest message possible. As long as those individuals who insist on returning here again and committing violent crimes and violations of gun and drug laws, the ATF/CMPD Violent Crimes Task Force and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify you and put you behind bars where you belong,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Wayne L. Dixie. “Our commitment to providing a safe and secure community for the citizens of Charlotte should not continue to be challenged, because we have demonstrated that we will utilize all of our joint resources and rise to that challenge if necessary.”

“We will continue to work to improve the quality of life for the citizens in this community by working with our committed partners in reducing crime,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney D. Monroe.

“We’re proud to stand beside our U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners today and every day in our efforts to seek justice in our community,” said Mecklenburg County District Attorney Andrew Murray.

The seven federal defendants arrested today are currently in federal custody. Their initial appearances will be held in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler.

The charges contained in these complaints are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation is being conducted by the ATF and CMPD. U.S. Attorney Tompkins also thanked the U.S. Marshals for their invaluable assistance in making today’s arrests.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Claire Phillips of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is leading the prosecution.