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Press Release

Eighteen “Bird Gang” Members And Associates Indicted For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Violations In Hillsborough County

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the culmination of a long-term investigation of a violent and drug trafficking organization known as the “Bird Gang,” operating primarily in Tampa. As a result, 18 individuals have been charged with various federal firearms and drug offenses. (Please see chart for details). The indictments also notify the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit firearms, cash, and a vehicle, as well as any other property derived from or used in these offenses.

“The charges brought today are another example of our resolve to reduce violent crime in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “Today’s actions reflect the continuous hard work of our Project Safe Neighborhoods Tampa Bay Task Force partners.”

“The arrests today send a clear message that violent gangs will not be tolerated in our communities. The FBI, with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continue to work together to rid our communities of drugs and violence,” said Eric W. Sporre Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Tampa Field Office.

“Our city is safer today as a result of these arrests and it will continue to be safer in the future as a result of the partnership between our law enforcement agencies,’’ said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. “This year-long operation sends a clear message that we and our partners will not rest until violent gangs are brought to justice.”

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This investigation arose out of a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The cases will be prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys Natalie Hirt Adams and Taylor G. Stout.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. 

This investigation is also the result of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

OPERATION BLUE CAST SUMMARY CHART

Name

(Age, Residence)

Charges

Maximum Penalties

Allen Brown

(39, Wimauma)

a/k/a “Jerusalem,”

a/k/a “Shawn,”

a/k/a “Deshon”
  1. Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone;

 

  1. Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
  1. Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison;

 

 

  1. Minimum mandatory term of 15 years, and up to life in federal prison.

Edwin Carlon

(24, Ruskin)

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone.

Maximum term of 20 years in federal prison.

Jetavious Gaynor

(48, Tampa)

a/k/a “Cool,”

a/k/a “Breeze”

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 40 years in federal prison.

David Jerome Green, Jr.

(36, Tampa)

a/k/a “Woodrow”

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

Malcolm Rontavis Griffin

(26, Tampa)

a/k/a “Chris”
  1. Distributing cocaine;

 

  1. Conspiring to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine;

 

  1. Distributing crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison, per count.

Marvin Grooms

(33, Tampa)
  1. Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone;

 

  1. Distributing heroin.

Maximum term of 40 years in prison, per count.

 

 

Cornelius Jones

(26, Tampa)

a/k/a “CJ”

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.

Mandatory minimum term of 10 years, and up to life in federal prison.

Tyre Derel Jones

(25, Tampa)

a/k/a “Re-Dub,”

a/k/a “Fat Twin,”

a/k/a “Twerk”
  1. Conspiring to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine;

 

  1. Distributing crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in prison, per count.

Lorenzo Knight

(32, Tampa)

a/k/a “Lo,”

a/k/a “Black”

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

Jerrod Lee

(38, Tampa)

a/k/a “Jig,”

 a/k/a “Mexico”

 
  1. Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone;

 

  1. Distributing heroin;

 

  1. Distributing 10 grams or more of fentanyl (two counts).
  1. Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

 

 

  1. Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison;

 

  1. Minimum mandatory term of 10 years, and up to life in federal prison, per count.

Sheldon Lillie

(36, Tampa)

a/k/a “Skeet,”

a/k/a “Boogie” 

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Mandatory minimum term of life in federal prison.

Ariscio Morgan

(43, Tampa)

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

Bernard Pendleton

(47, Tampa)

a/k/a “Nard” 

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

Deandre Perry

(37, Tampa)

a/k/a “Dee” 

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

Timmy Ramsey

(40, Brandon)

 
  1. Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone;

 

  1. Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
  1. Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison;

 

 

  1. Maximum term of 10 years in federal prison.

Anthony Reed, Jr.

(40, Tampa)

a/k/a “Packy” 

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison.

Wandra Reynolds

(56, Tampa)

Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Maximum term of 20 years in federal prison.

James Haskell Stephens, IV

(42, Wesley Chapel)

a/k/a “Jamie”

 
  1. Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone;

 

  1. Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
  1. Maximum term of 40 years in federal prison;

 

 

  1. Maximum term of 10 years in federal prison.
Updated December 4, 2018
Attachments
Indictment 1 [PDF, ]
Indictment 2 [PDF, ]
Indictment 3 [PDF, ]
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Component
USAO - Florida, Middle

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