14 Houston Men Charged with Meth, Firearm Violations, Texas 2023

Fourteen Houston Men Charged with Meth, Firearm Violations in Federal Indictment

HOUSTON, TX - In a major crackdown on drug trafficking and firearm violations, 14 Houston men are now in custody, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

The defendants, who were taken into custody yesterday, include Anthony Ketchum, 35, Anthony Yezeno-Hopkins, 38, Brandon Milson, 32, Hassani Mills, 34, Jaylyn Pinson, 29, Josue Rodriguez, 32, Keith Moore, 34, Michael Henry, 32, Myles Smith, 23, Robert Thomas, 29, Sterling Brumant, 26, Titus Baisey, 35, and Toree White, 27.

Henry, Baisey, and Smith are expected to make their initial appearances at 2 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan. Brumant was arrested in California and ordered detained pending further criminal proceedings.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on December 7, 2023, alleges that all defendants, except Thomas and Rodriguez, are charged with possession with intent to deliver meth. They face up to life in prison and could be ordered to pay fines up to $10 million. Moore faces an additional charge of possession with intent to deliver heroin, which carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Rodriguez is alleged to have been in possession of a firearm - a Ruger 5.7 mm. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from federal law and could also be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years if found guilty. Thomas is accused of possessing a firearm - a device made and intended to convert a semi-automatic pistol to being fully automatic, known as a Glock auto switch. If convicted, he faces a 10-year possible sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Collins is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/several-houston-men-arrested-drug-and-firearm-violations