Hopkinsville Task Force formed to thwart violent crime
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. - United States Attorney Russell Coleman announced the formation of the Hopkinsville Gun Crimes Task Force, and the return of four felony indictments charging individuals with federal firearms violations, including possession of guns by convicted felons.
The charges continue to develop through ongoing partnerships with multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to maximize penalties for the most violent repeat offenders as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. In Hopkinsville, this multi-agency effort includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Hopkinsville Police Department, and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling which have recently formed the Hopkinsville Gun Crimes Task Force.
“The increased gun violence here in Hopkinsville, to include the shooting of a police officer, is unacceptable," said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “I’m proud for federal law enforcement to participate in this new task force, the goal of which is to remove violent felons from Christian County for as long as the law allows. This round of indictments is only our first step; stay tuned."
“ATF strives to be ‘no better partner’ in our efforts alongside Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and DEA as part of the Hopkinsville Gun Crimes Task Force," said Tommy E. Estevan, ATF Assistant Special Agent, Louisville Field Division. “U.S. Attorney Coleman’s announcement reflects the value of utilizing multi-jurisdictional resources and crime gun intelligence to identify and investigate illicit gun traffickers, trigger pullers and other armed violent offenders. These efforts disrupt the shooting cycle and will reduce, prevent and solve violent gun crimes."
Those charged in this first round of indictments include:
* Credall Hubbard, age 61, of Evansville, IN, is charged in a three count indictment with being a felon in possession of firearm: a Taurus, model PT145 Millennium Pro,.45 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Hubbard has previous felony convictions for second degree manslaughter, previously being a felon in possession of a handgun, bank robbery and assault by the use of a deadly weapon (aiding and abetting), and possession or use of a firearm during a crime of violence, each a felony. He also faces charges of felon in possession of a firearm, a Ruger AR-556, 5.56 millimeter semiautomatic rifle and a Ruger SR40,.40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Hubbard faces a third count of possession of body armor by a violent felon.
* Jarontae L. Taylor, age 20, of Hopkinsville, KY, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm: a Glock 17, 9 millimeter semiautomatic pistol. Taylor was previously convicted of second-degree burglary.
* Tony D. Bowen, age 36, of Hopkinsville, KY, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm: a Glock 17, 9 millimeter semiautomatic pistol. Bowen was previously convicted three separate times for robbery and for aggravated assault.
* Ahgeana Bailey, age 25, of Cadiz, KY, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm: a FIE Corp. Titan Tiger.38 special caliber revolver. Bailey was previously convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and first-degree bail jumping.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Hancock and Leigh Ann Dycus. The cases are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Hopkinsville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Kentucky State Police, and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, which comprise the Hopkinsville Gun Crimes Task Force, in cooperation with the Office of Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Kentucky. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Today’s indictments are part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. #
The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
