The United States Department of Justice has released the names of people who were indicted as part of a multi-agency operation to enforce felony firearm violations in the Columbia area.
The only individuals law enforcement were seeking as part of this operation were people suspected of violent crime, and authorities were pursuing suspects based on warrants, according to a the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Officials are labeling the enforcement "Operation Brightside."
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, the following individuals were each charged with being in possession of a firearm after a prior felony conviction:
- Thomas Adam Abbey, Jr., 38, of Columbia
- Paul Stewart Arnall, 35, of Columbia
- David Tyler Blair, 27, of Columbia
- Frank Cortez Bonaparte, 44, of Columbia
- Jordan Booker, 31, of Jefferson City
- Jaimonte Tremelle Cooper, 34, of Columbia
- James Elvaughn Hanton, 45, of Columbia
- Malachi Allen Hughes, 21, of Columbia
- Paul Allen Johnson, 58, of Columbia
- Quinton Marquez Miller, 27, of Columbia
- Leo Demarcus Roland, 34, of Columbia
- Tyrone Sabb, 49, of Columbia
- Justin Terrell Shelton, 31, of Columbia
- Terrell Maurice Sims, 29, of Columbia
- Damon Lashay Thompson, 25, of Columbia
- Timmy Ray Whittle, 69, of Lohman
A federal grand jury in Jefferson City handed down indictments for the suspects on Nov. 18, according to the news release.
If convicted, these individuals will face up to 15 years’ imprisonment, according to the release.
Several other individuals were also indicted but charged with other crimes, according to the release:
- Kenneth Ryan Williams, 41, and Asia Javone Shafer, 24, were both charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as separate counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Williams is also alleged to have possessed a firearm after a prior felony conviction.
- Dexter Terrell Mason, 45, of Jefferson City, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Operation Brightside was a joint law enforcement operation between eight agencies, including the Columbia Police Department, Boone County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.