Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

8 Las Vegas residents arrested on federal drug trafficking, gun possession charges

Eight Las Vegas area residents face federal charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of guns, the office of the U.S. attorney for the district of Nevada announced today.

The collaboration between Metro Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, named “Operation Nora,” also netted 30 guns and ammunition, in addition to heroin, meth, cocaine and crack, officials said.

The suspects, who are accused of illegally selling the drugs, which amounted to 2 and 1/2 pounds, and guns illicitly, were indicted on June 30, officials said. All eight suspects have since been arrested, officials said.

Officials said the suspects operated in the Las Vegas neighborhoods known as “Sherwood Forest” and “Naked City,” which is located near the north Strip.

“This is a major win for law enforcement,” Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said in a statement. “Metro will continue working hard to stop criminals from bringing drugs and violence into our neighborhoods. Because of multi-agency partnerships like this one, we are making it harder for violent criminals to do business.”

Added ATF Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, “ATF is on the frontline in the fight against violent crime, particularly through the disruption and dismantling of firearms trafficking operations which are a large source and supply of crime guns to offenders,”

Details of the investigation weren’t immediately available and a criminal complaint hadn’t been filed publicly.

The suspects are:

Alexander Fitwi, 32, was charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Durrell Melchor, 33, was charged with dealing in firearms without a license, being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to distribute drugs, and drug trafficking. He could go to prison for up to 45 years.

Prentice Moreland, 55, is facing counts of distribution of cocaine, distribution of crack, and being a felon in possession of a gun. Moreland faces more than 210 years in prison if convicted.

Ozzie Morrison, 33, was charged with dealing in firearms without a license and distribution of crack. He could land in prison for up to 45 years.

Antoine Thomas, 47, is facing charges of dealing in firearms without a license, being a felon in possession of a gun, distributing crack-cocaine. Thomas can go to prison for up to 85 years if convicted.

Jose Wade, 37, was charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine, which could land him in prison up to 60 years if convicted. 

Brenton Williams, 38, was charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs, and distribution of cocaine. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Jessica Williams, 28, who was charged with distribution of both meth and crack-cocaine, faces up to 15 years in prison.

“Operation Nora exemplifies the kind of impactful multi-defendant prosecutions that play a critical role in our office’s strategy to reduce violent crime in our communities,” U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich said in a statemennt. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with ATF and (Metro) to take drugs, ammo, and over two dozen guns off the streets through one investigation.”