Fort Worth, Texas – In a major crackdown on violent crime, 76 individuals have been arrested in Operation Showdown, a two-month targeted initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in Fort Worth. The operation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (ATF), resulted in the seizure of hundreds of guns, kilos of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
According to the Department of Justice, 56 defendants have been arrested on federal charges, including illegal firearms trafficking, unlawful possession and transfer of machineguns, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The potential sentences for these federal defendants, if convicted, range from 10 years to life in prison.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of 20 defendants on state charges, including possession of controlled substances, such as methamphetamine and fentanyl. Law enforcement recovered 287 firearms, including 91 pistols, 6 revolvers, 17 rifles, 1 shotgun, 25 machineguns, and 147 machinegun conversion devices (MCDs). Additionally, they seized 14.8 kilograms of cocaine, 7.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 480 grams of fentanyl, 13 grams of heroin, and 1.4 kilograms of marijuana.
Those charged with MCD-related offenses face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The operation targeted individuals involved in trafficking methamphetamine, including Darrick Carter, Maya Bradshaw, D’Morion Holleman, Charles Blackshire, and Raul Penalver. All five are convicted felons and are alleged to have participated in trafficking methamphetamine.
Examples of those arrested include Darrick Carter, 37, of Fort Worth, who is alleged to have brokered methamphetamine transactions and helped facilitate Charles Blackshire’s firearm sale. Maya Bradshaw, 35, of Arlington, has three felony convictions and is alleged to have participated in trafficking methamphetamine. Charles Blackshire, 39, of Fort Worth, has four felony convictions and is charged with selling a pistol for $850 in May, with his promise of future firearms sales.
The operation was a collaborative effort between the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fort Worth Police Department, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies. The results of Operation Showdown are a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime in Fort Worth.
Nancy E. Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in Operation Showdown. ‘This operation is a significant step forward in our efforts to reduce violent crime in Fort Worth,’ she said. ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.’
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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