CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- Thirty-one people are charged with federal gun crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
At a news conference Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. said the 31 individuals are charged with unlawful gun possession.
"Today is, first of all, recognizing the great work of law enforcement who investigated these cases, bringing them to our offices for prosecution. We want this to serve as a reminder that certain people can't possess guns, and there will be criminal consequences when they do," Deegan said.
If convicted, all the defendants face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
The cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. It's a program involving all levels of law enforcement working together with a hope of reducing violent crime. Last October, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the revitalization of PSN.
Those charged are Cedar Rapids residents Eric Allen Boyer, age 35, Alan Cherry, age 39, Willie B. Hodges II, age 57, Shane Lee LaGrange, age 35, Riley Michael Neff-Gonzales, age 19, Cleveland Dwayne Cole Smith, age 31, Alfred Washington, age 39, Victor Charles Wicher, age 37, and Dominique Dwight Williams, age 29;
Dubuque residents Ian Michael Bonnette, age 38, Jevonne Martell Coleman, age 32, Michael Joseph Dennison, age 41, Montecarlos Marteze Gant, age 35, Javontae Ernie Grisson, age 22, Patrick Andrew Lugrain, age 21, Kenneth Lamont Sanders, age 38, Marliesha Scott, age 38, Gerald Francis Straka, age 60, Davion Lashaun Trawick, age 18, William James Wesley, age 24;
Waterloo residents Laika Burt, age 41, Scott Francis Gilson, age 38, Antonio Scott McGhee, age 27, Denzale Devon Babuta Ratliff, age 24, Antonio Rodriguez Ross, age 23, John Joseph Sanford, Jr., age 42, Mario Ronrico Smith, age 18;
Plus Harold Amos, age 39, of Tama County; Brady Morgan, age 24, of Raymond; Jesse Andrew Hall, age 20, of Cedar Falls; Sejuan Marquise Walker, age 22, of Coralville.
Police are still looking for six defendants: Scott Gilson, Riley Neff-Gonzales, Antonio Ross, Kenneth Sanders, Cleveland Cole Smith, and Davion Trawick.
Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to contact Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at (319) 232-5583, or (855) 300-8477, or Linn County Crime Stoppers at (800) 272-7463.