In Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson has announced charges against 11 individuals in April related to firearms offenses and immigration violations. This is a part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to address illegal immigration and transnational criminal activities.
The defendants involved in federal firearms charges include several North Carolina residents. Steven Tyler Philbeck, 33, is accused of firearm possession and drug trafficking involving methamphetamine. Naquan Damerius Blakeney, 24, is charged with firearm possession as a felon, allegedly possessing a Glock Model 23 pistol. Justin Lloyd Coleman, 33, faces charges for possessing machine guns and other firearms as a felon. Kiren Nashawn Heath, 21, is similarly charged with possessing a firearm, a Walther 9mm pistol frame, illegally. Daquan Devonte Jeter, 33, is accused of unlawful firearm possession, with the indictment mentioning a "sawed-off" shotgun. Norris Lashane Myers, 47, and Nathaniel Desean Nicholes, 25, are also each facing charges involving firearm possession as felons.
In terms of immigration-related violations, Jose Guadalupe Cervantes Nava, 52, from Mexico, faces charges of illegal reentry into the U.S., having been deported multiple times in 2018. Remedios Arroyo Beltran, 51, also from Mexico, is charged with illegal reentry after being deported three times in 2019. Erik Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, 21, from Honduras, was charged after allegedly attempting to evade arrest following a traffic violation, and had been deported previously in July 2023. Darwin Gonzalez Navarijo, 40, from Guatemala, faces charges of illegal reentry after previous deportations dating back to 2009, 2010, and 2017.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson has emphasized that these charges are allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court. The announcement credited various national and local law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, for their roles in the investigations. Local agencies such as the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and others also provided significant assistance.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
