Ross Jr. and Gaines, Firearms Trafficking, California 2020

Stockton Residents Charged with Firearms Trafficking

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Two Stockton residents and alleged members of the Everybody Killa (EBK) street gang, Johnnie Earl Ross Jr., 20, and Vin Whealen Gaines Jr., 32, have been charged with conspiring to deal firearms without a license and other crimes.

According to court documents, between Oct. 10, 2019, and Oct. 22, 2020, Ross and Gaines sold at least 13 firearms to an undercover agent or confidential source on behalf of the EBK street gang in Stockton. Many of the firearms were obtained out of state, in Reno, Nevada, and some were obtained by a straw purchaser from federally licensed firearms dealers in Reno.

The indictment charges Ross and Gaines with conspiring to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, and possession of an unregistered machine gun. Gaines is also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of methamphetamine.

The charges carry the following penalties: a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for conspiracy to deal firearms without a license; a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for dealing firearms without a license; a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for possession of an unregistered machine gun; a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for being a felon in possession of a firearm; and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for methamphetamine distribution.

Ross and Gaines are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of an investigation by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task force that leverages the authorities and expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian, initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/two-stockton-gang-members-indicted-firearms-trafficking