SAGINAW, Mich., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Special agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigators from the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) arrested numerous individuals today as part of several ongoing criminal investigations which started in December 2008. All of these individuals were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on Dec. 9, 2009, in Bay City, Michigan. Charges include: felon in possession of firearms, dealing in firearms without a license, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin.

In conjunction with these investigations, 15 firearms were recovered or purchased, including one sawed-off shotgun. More than one-half kilogram of crack cocaine was also purchased during the course of this investigation.

These investigations are a cooperative effort between ATF and MSP to combat the violence and sale of illegal weapons and narcotics in the City of Saginaw. In addition to the crack cocaine, investigators have recovered several pounds of marijuana and 15 firearms. The individuals arrested are: David Lamar Chapman, 42; Willie Jean Dawson, 33; Deonte Lajuan Degroat, 35; Jimmie Lee Parker, 33; and Roy Lee Whitson Jr., 28, all of Saginaw, Mich. One individual, David Dawson McNary, 42, of Saginaw, Mich., is in custody at the Saginaw County Jail on unrelated charges..

Five others have been indicted and their arrests are pending, and there are three other individuals pending indictment as a result of this cooperative law enforcement effort.

The charges in the indictments are only allegations of criminal conduct and the defendants are presumed innocent.

These cases are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office in Bay City, Mich.

ATF is the principal federal law enforcement agency dedicated to reducing violent crime and protecting our nation. ATF is committed to investigating crimes involving firearms and explosives, acts of arson, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. For more information on ATF go to www.atf.gov.

Contacts:

George M. Krappmann
Resident Agent in Charge, ATF - Flint
Cell:  (313) 590-4424

Detective Lt. Mel Mathews, Commander, BAYANET
Cell: (989) 790-6581

SSA Donald Dawkins, PIO, ATF
Cell: (313) 407-6018

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.atf.gov