Three Men Hit with Gun Trafficking Indictments

FRESNO, Calif. — Three local men are facing heavy charges after being indicted for their alleged roles in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. Wendell Moton, 33, of Fresno; Donnie Hicks, 33, of Visalia; and McCael Marshall, 34, also from Visalia, have been charged with conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking and possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents, the trio arranged the sale of a machine gun to an undercover agent online before being intercepted en route. Moton faced additional charges after he was found in possession of another firearm during a separate incident, when he fled from law enforcement.

The investigation leading to these arrests is part of “Operation Gridlock,” a joint effort spanning several federal and local agencies. Homeland Security Investigations, the Fresno Police Department, the FBI, and more worked together to target violent criminal street gangs in the region.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Veneman-Hughes will be prosecuting this case, which is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). The program aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence across communities by fostering trust, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. However, any sentence would be determined at the court’s discretion after considering applicable factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being prosecuted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law in June 2022. The Act targets unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms specifically.

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