Fifteen Indicted on Federal Gun Charges
Gulfport, Miss. — 15 individuals have been charged in a 30–count federal firearms indictment which was unsealed on Wednesday, May 30, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Phillip Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced. The indictment also requests the forfeiture of 85 firearms.
11 defendants were arrested on Wednesday, May 30, during a round up conducted by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the U.S. Marshal Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Gulfport Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Biloxi Police Department, D’Iberville Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, Pass Christian Police Department Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi State Fusion Center.
Charged in the indictment are:
Cherish Deneen Sherrill, 21 of Gulfport – indicted on 9 counts to include conspiracy, possession of stolen firearm, transfer of an unregistered firearm, unlawful manufacture of a firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. She faces a maximum penalty of 70 years imprisonment.
Todd Keith Clark, 24 of Gulfport – indicted on 11 counts of conspiracy, possession of a stolen firearm, transfer of an unregistered firearm, unlawful manufacture of a firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 90 years imprisonment.
Wilton Joseph Cuevas, 24 of Gulfport – indicted on 2 counts of conspiracy and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
Derrick Lee Rowell, 24 of Gulfport – indicted on 3 counts of conspiracy, transfer of an unregistered firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Robert Bruce Smith, 21 of Gulfport – indicted on 4 counts of conspiracy, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
Patrick K. Clark, 48 of Gulfport – indicted on 3 counts of conspiracy, unlawful manufacture of a firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Codairo S. McCall, 24 of Gulfport – indicted on 3 counts of conspiracy, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and engaging in the usiness of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
Dante Lamar Cameron, 22 of Gulfport – indicted on 3 counts of conspiracy, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
John Ashley Perrette, 24 of Saucier – indicted on 5 counts of conspiracy, possession of an unregistered firearm, transfer of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 35 years imprisonment.
Jeffrey Allan Perrette, 21 of Saucier – indicted on 3 counts of conspiracy, possession of an unregistered firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Robert Lee Matthews, 20 of Gulfport – indicted on 2 counts of conspiracy and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
Kenneth Cody Cochran, 24 of Ocean Springs – indicted on 2 counts of conspiracy and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
David Brent Watters, 21 of Gulfport – indicted on 6 counts of conspiracy, transfer of a firearm by an unlicensed person to an unlicensed out–of–state resident and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment.
David M. Watters, 53 of Gulfport – indicted on 7 counts of conspiracy, transfer of a firearm by an unlicensed person to an unlicensed out–of–state resident, felon in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment.
Robert Arnold Savage, 62 of Grand Bay, Alabama – indicted on 13 counts of conspiracy, transfer of a firearm by an unlicensed person to an unlicensed out–ofstate resident, felon in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. He faces a maximum penalty of 70 years imprisonment.
Illegal trafficking in firearms is a danger to all Americans and a security threat to everyone,
said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, This round–up is continuing and powerful evidence of our commitment in federal law enforcement to aggressively identify, investigate and prosecute those who, through violation of federal criminal laws, pose a threat to the safety of our citizens and communities. It is also evidence of the cooperation and partnership that exists between federal, state and local law enforcement. Our special thanks go out to the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who not only assisted in the arrests of these individuals, but contributed significantly to the investigation that led us to this prosecution.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Durham added: This coordinated operation is part of ATF’s ongoing commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners working to reduce the illegal use of guns and dismantle violent gangs. The guns which were taken from the hands of these violent offenders will make our community a safer place to live. Protecting our communities from the illegal use and trafficking of firearms is a major part of the ATF mission, and I hope that the success of this joint investigation sends a strong message to those who choose to bring guns, drugs and violence into our neighborhoods.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette Williams, and is scheduled for trial on August 6, 2012.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, that charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in Court.
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