EDENTON, N.C. — In one of the largest, multi-agency coordinated efforts in Northeast North Carolina, more than 20 people are now behind bars for alleged violent crimes throughout the state.
According to law enforcement leaders, these arrests are the result of a months-long partnership, called the "Violent Crime Action Plan." The results of which, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said, are just starting to pay off.
"Those efforts have resulted in the seizure of taking 25 guns off the street, including five fully automatic machine guns that were on the streets of this community, and enough fentanyl to kill 120 thousand people," said Easley.
State and federal law enforcement agencies came together to track down suspects they said they believed were traveling across various jurisdictions to commit violent crimes, including kidnapping, drug trafficking and gun charges.
Easley said the action plan has led to 21 people being charged, including five believed to be affiliated with the Bloods gang.
According to court documents, the eight people listed below were arrested on federal charges as part of the recent law enforcement effort:
- Robert Hall, age 42, kidnapping and possession of a firearm by a felon (Perquimans County)
- Miguel Williams, age 34, possession of a firearm by a felon; possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Elizabeth City)
- Stanford Dantzler*, age 23, possession of a firearm by a felon (Elizabeth City)
- Anthony McCoy*, age 25, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a machine gun (Elizabeth City)
- Rashawn Baum*, age 28, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl (Elizabeth City)
- Tysheem Commander*, age 31, possession of a firearm by a felon (Elizabeth City)
- Jamari Ishman*, age 24, possession of a firearm by a felon (Edenton)
- Al Ortiz, age 48, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl (Elizabeth City)
*indicates defendants known to be members of the Blood Gang
“Locating, apprehending, and prosecuting the worst of the worst is a focus ATF shares with our law enforcement partners,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge, Bennie Mims. “As part of the Violent Crime Action Plan, ATF and our local, state and federal counterparts are combining our efforts and resources to disrupt drug trafficking networks, recover firearms from prohibited individuals, and make our communities safer.”
Easley said there are a "handful" of alleged criminals local law enforcement agencies are still looking for. However, Easley said he remains confident they will be found and had a message for them.
"I'd love for the criminals to know that I am looking for them because they better change their behavior or we are not going to stop until they find their way into a jail cell," said Easley.