Seven individuals were charged in a 23-count indictment unsealed today with firearms trafficking, conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and related offenses. The arrests took place in New York, Missouri, and South Carolina. Those arrested include John Donaldson (“Jay”), Juanita Figueroa, Ronald Jackson (“Stuben”), Nicholas Willacy (“Light”), Marcus Dyce (“John John”), Lonney Walker (“Hollywood”), and Coty Harley. An eighth defendant, Juancarlos Hechavarria Sr., was charged separately by complaint and also arrested in South Carolina.
The announcement was made by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch of the New York City Police Department.
“As alleged, the defendants sold a significant number of pistols, rifles, and bags of crack cocaine in Staten Island, New Jersey, and the Bronx,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Gun violence and the proliferation of narcotics are serious and ongoing threats to our communities. Our Office and federal and local law enforcement are committed to protecting the public by stopping the flow of dangerous firearms and narcotics into the hands of criminals by using proactive investigations and collaborating with our law enforcement partners.”
“These eight defendants allegedly orchestrated a national trafficking network to import 37 firearms, including assault-style rifles and extended magazines, into the tristate region, while some distributed narcotics as another source of illicit income,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Their alleged criminal behavior unnecessarily introduced deadly weapons and drugs into our communities, posing a significant threat to the lives of the surrounding public unaware of these illegal transactions. May today’s Operation Summer Heat takedown emphasize the FBI’s steadfast commitment to continue collaborating with our law enforcement partners to disrupt any unlawful sales fueling criminal activity in our city.”
“These alleged gun traffickers flooded communities in the Bronx and Staten Island with dozens of dangerous firearms, including assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that have no business on the streets of New York City,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The members of the NYPD work tirelessly to identify and dismantle these criminal networks that bring illegal guns and drugs into our city and put people in harm's way. I am grateful to the NYPD investigators and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for putting a stop to this dangerous pipeline.”
According to court documents from August 2022 through August 2025, several defendants participated in multiple transactions involving 37 illegal firearms across Staten Island, Bronx, and New Jersey. Some sales occurred during daytime hours in residential neighborhoods where members of the public were present. At least one defendant transported firearms from South Carolina for sale in New York. The majority of these weapons were traced back to southern states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas, and Georgia; they included AR-15 style rifles as well as shotguns, pistols of various calibers, semiautomatic weapons, extended magazines—including one drum magazine capable of holding about 100 rounds.
Hechavarria Sr., according to a separate complaint connected by Dyce with a buyer, allegedly sold three firearms for $3,100 outside a Brooklyn restaurant during daylight hours; all three guns originated from South Carolina.
The indictment also alleges that several defendants conspired to traffic cocaine base within their communities. On two occasions Harley reportedly sold both a firearm and cocaine base together; after being incarcerated on unrelated charges he continued arranging cocaine base sales through Figueroa, Willacy, and Jackson—resulting in Willacy selling approximately 18 grams in August 2025 while Jackson sold around 50 grams between June-July 2025.
All charges remain allegations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted jointly by members of the FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Pak (for Donaldson et al.) and Matthew Sullivan (for Hechavarria Sr.) from the Organized Crime & Gangs Section.
Defendants named are:
- John Donaldson (“Jay”), age 61 (Bronx)
- Marcus Dyce (“John John”), age 50 (St. Louis)
- Juanita Figueroa, age 44 (Staten Island)
- Coty Harley (“Boatee”), age 39 (Staten Island)
- Ronald Jackson (“Stuben”), age 43 (Staten Island)
- Lonney Walker (“Hollywood”), age 48 (Columbia)
- Nicholas Willacy (“Light”), age 47 (Staten Island)
- Juancarlos Hechavarria Sr. (“Los”), age 52 (Sumter)
