BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Federal and local law enforcement just wrapped up a two-month crackdown on repeat violent offenders in Palm Beach Count. 46 defendants charged, 94 firearms pulled off the streets, and more than nine kilograms of illegal narcotics seized. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones announced the results alongside federal and local partners, including the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The USDOJ shared this announcement with BocaNewsNow.com.
The initiative, dubbed “Operation Hurricane,” was launched in May by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Miami Field Division. ATF sent personnel from across the country to work alongside local agencies, bringing tactical, technical, and undercover investigative support to the effort. By the time it wrapped, the operation had produced federal charges against 38 defendants and state charges against eight more — most of them Palm Beach County residents facing firearms and narcotics trafficking counts. Investigators also seized more than 600 rounds of ammunition along with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine.
“As we’ve seen in Memphis, Washington, D.C., and now South Florida, targeted law enforcement surges drive down crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald. He credited ATF and its partners for removing nearly 100 illegal firearms and significant quantities of drugs from local communities. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones said the operation shows the Homeland Security Task Force model working as intended, with federal, state, and local law enforcement moving as one team. “This was dangerous, difficult work,” he said. “Because of their courage and professionalism, 46 defendants, 94 firearms, and kilograms of deadly narcotics are now off the street.”
ATF Director Rob Cekada said the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to targeting the people who pose the greatest threat to communities, disrupting gangs, robbery crews, and drug trafficking networks in the process. DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley said the defendants posed a serious threat to Palm Beach County residents, and getting the weapons and drugs off the street will make neighborhoods safer. West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo credited strong partnerships and coordinated efforts across agencies for advancing the investigation and bringing those responsible to justice.
The charges were handed up through federal indictments and criminal complaints over the past several weeks. Investigators from ATF, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Palm Beach Police Department all contributed to the case. West Palm Beach Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam McMichael and Narcotics Chief Daniel Funk are coordinating the federal prosecutions, which fall under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159.
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Operation Hurricane Defendants and Charges
- Antwuan Alexander, 23, Lake Park — Felon in possession of a firearm
- Sarne Barfield, 38, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute 28 grams of crack cocaine
- Henry Bennett Jr., 50, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine)
- Simon Black, 24, Lake Worth — Conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance
- Nevara Brown, 32, Port Saint Lucie — Felon in possession of a firearm; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Woodley David, 35, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine)
- Carlos Dennard, 55, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute 28 grams of crack cocaine
- Chris Duncan Jr., 56, Riviera Beach — Distribution of a controlled substance
- Liosbel Guillermo Ferrer Ortiz, 29, Palm Bay — Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition
- Dequan Fleming, 30, Riviera Beach — Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Camaron Furlow, 26, Fort Myers — Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
- Taron Furlow, 28, Fort Myers — Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
- Dametria Alexandria Gibson, 29, Belle Glade — Federal possession of unregistered firearms; felon in possession of a firearm
- Shon Lashard Grimsley, 33, West Palm Beach — Distribution of a controlled substance (two counts); conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition
- Edward Lamar Hamilton III, 26, Riviera Beach — Federal possession of unregistered firearms; felon in possession of a firearm
- Deonte Harry, 28, Daytona Beach — Felon in possession of a firearm
- Gavlyn Renard Hooks, 42, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of a cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a cocaine base
- Stephanie Hugee, 42, Fort Pierce — Distribution of a controlled substance
- Michael Jean, 24, Lake Worth — Felon in possession of a firearm
- Joseph Jerome, Jr., 39, West Palm Beach — Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime; possession of firearms by a convicted felon
- Derick Julien, 35, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to traffic firearms and trafficking firearms
- John Phillip King, 38, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (28 grams or more); possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon
- Raleigh Markale Lewis, 47, Riviera Beach — Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of a cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a cocaine base
- Carlos Lorenzo Linder, Jr., 20, Riviera Beach — Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery
- Alonzo Little, 29, Fort Myers — Conspiracy to transfer firearms affecting interstate or foreign commerce; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
- Dallas Little, 29, Fort Myers — Felon in possession of a firearm; conspiracy to transfer firearms affecting interstate or foreign commerce; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
- Larry Little, 31, Lehigh Acres — Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (two counts); conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (two counts)
- Rayan Masamvu, 26, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance
- Tyran McNeal, 24, Riviera Beach — Felon in possession of a firearm; distribution of a controlled substance; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime
- Milton Andrew Richardson, 40, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (28 grams or more); possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon
- Sagon Mickaletoe Steward, 38, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; conspiracy to use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; use, carry, and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; attempt to commit Hobbs Act robbery; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition
- Antony Stokes, 23, Riviera Beach — Conspiracy to traffic firearms and trafficking firearms; possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon
- Robert Lee Turner, Jr., 31, Riviera Beach — Distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance; distribution of 28 grams or more of a Schedule II controlled substance
- Kevin Walker, 34, Pahokee — Felon in possession of a firearm
- Jarvis Williams, 31, West Palm Beach — Felon in possession of a firearm
- David Woodley, 35, West Palm Beach — Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (500 grams or more of cocaine)
- Marcus Young, 30, Lake Park — Distribution of a controlled substance (three counts, including quantities over 40 and 50 grams)
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