November 4, 2009
ARMED GANG MEMBERS REMOVED FROM STREETS OF METRO DENVER AS PART OF ATF AND DOJ PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE
DENVER – The ATF and a cadre of local and state law enforcement agencies continue to implement a concerted effort to remove armed gang members and other violent offenders from the streets of Colorado, U.S. Attorney David Gaouette and ATF Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase announced today. Seven people believed to be CMG Blood and Crips gang members have recently been indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on charges of being felons who possess firearms and/or possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Two others face state charges. Of the nine people charged in this effort, eight people have been arrested to date, with one defendant already in federal custody.
Information regarding the seven federal cases are as follows:
* Casey Miller, aka KK, age 28, of Aurora, is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, on October 15, 2009, in Arapahoe County, Miller unlawfully and knowingly possessed a firearm and ammunition, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment by a term exceeding one year. Miller is believed to be a Crips gang member.
* Octavius Greenwood, aka Lil K-Mac, age 25, of Denver, is charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute over 5 grams of crack cocaine. According to his indictment, on September 11, 2007, Greenwood did knowingly possess with intent to distribute crack. Greenwood is believed to be a CMG Blood gang member.
* Eddie Caddell, aka Boozie, age 36, of Denver, is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, on August 22, 2007, Caddell did unlawfully and knowingly possess a firearm, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment by a term exceeding one year. Caddell is believed to be a CMG Bloods gang member.
* Richard Stillwell, aka Frosty, age 34, of Denver, is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, on August 22, 2007, Stillwell did unlawfully and knowingly possess a firearm, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment by a term exceeding one year. Stillwell is believed to be a CMG Bloods gang member.
* Kenny Griggs, aka L.A., age 26, of Denver, is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. According to the indictment, on July 10, 2008, and again on August 12, 2008, Griggs did unlawfully and knowingly possess a firearm and ammunition, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment by a term exceeding one year. Further, on August 12, 2008, Griggs did unlawfully and knowingly possessed a Marlin Model 12, 12 gauge shotgun, which had the manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated and altered. Griggs is believed to be a Crips gang member.
* Frank Navarro, age 37, of Denver, is charged by federal indictment with two counts of federal narcotics charges – specifically, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. According to the indictment, on August 24, 2007, Navarro did knowingly possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. Further, on August 27, 2007, the defendant knowingly possessed with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine. Navarro is believed to be a CMG Bloods gang member.
* Roy Ray, aka Panther, age 36, of Aurora, is charged by a federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. According to the indictment, on May 5, 2009, Ray knowingly and unlawfully possessed with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack cocaine. Ray is believed to be a CMG Bloods gang member.
Information regarding the two state cases are as follows:
* Cardell McMillan, aka Cardeeze, age 25, was arrested in Denver, Colorado on October 27, 2009, for investigation of marijuana distribution and conspiracy. Formal charges have not yet been filed. McMillan is believed to be a CMG Bloods gang member.
* Caleb Dobbins, age 24, was arrested in Adams County, Colorado on October 31, 2009, on state firearms charges.
“Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) is an important Department of Justice initiative designed to investigate, arrest and charge felons with guns, or those who possess illegal firearms,” said U.S. Attorney David Gaouette. “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have taken the lead in this district by heading up a multi-agency task force which is responsible for the arrest of these nine individuals who not only are previously convicted felons, but continued to violate federal law by their illegal possession of firearms or dangerous drugs. The efforts of the ATF and their task force colleagues should be applauded for removing these dangerous individuals from our community.”
“These indictments are a direct reflection of the strong partnerships ATF has bridged with the Aurora Police Department, the Denver Police Department, the Lakewood Police Department, the Metro Gang Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney’ s Office,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase. “This continued commitment will not only take a hard line approach at the most prolific and very dangerous gun criminals, but will also create safer neighborhoods throughout the Denver Metropolitan Area.”
“Through aggressive investigation, a number of violent criminals have been taken off the streets of Aurora and elsewhere,” said Chief Daniel J. Oates of the Aurora Police Department. “The law enforcement officers who make up the Denver Metro PSN Task Force and who carried out these dangerous and difficult investigations are to be commended and we thank the ATF for their partnership and commitment to keeping our city safe.”
“Collaborative efforts like this exemplify how important it is for Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies to work together as these criminals know no jurisdictional boundaries,” said Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman. “We will continue this type of partnership in an effort to arrest and prosecute as many criminal gang members as possible.”
“These indictments are a direct result of the hard work and cooperative efforts of our partners at the ATF, Denver, and Aurora Police Departments,” said Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Paletta. “We can make our communities much safer by sharing resources than by trying to attack these problems separately.”
If convicted, the defendants charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm face not more than 10 years incarceration, and up to a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, the defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, defendants face not less than 10 years, and up to life imprisonment, as well as a $4,000,000 fine. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack cocaine, defendants face not less than 5 years, and not more than 40 years imprisonment, as well as a $2,000,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Project Safe Neighborhood Task Force, which is a partnership between the ATF, the Aurora Police Department, the Denver Police Department, the Lakewood Police Department, and the Metro Gang Task Force.
The federal criminal cases are being prosecuted by a variety of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, including Assistant U.S. Attorney David Conner.
These charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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