Six Seattle Area Men Indicted on Gun Trafficking Charges

Six Seattle area men, some with prior felony convictions, were arrested over the last 24 hours on an indictment charging them with firearm trafficking as well as being felons in possession of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  The indictment is the result of an undercover investigation involving the Seattle Police Department Gang Unit, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). 

In all 25 guns were taken off the street, many of which were previously reported stolen.  ANDRE M. CONERLY, 25, JOSHUA DAWSON, 20, JAMES L. HENDERSON, 22, DAUNTE R. WILLIAMS, 29, ALEXANDER J. OLIVIO-ALTHEIMER, 21, all of Seattle, and DJUAN O. GARDNER, 28, of Federal Way, Washington, made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle today.

“The defendants trafficked all kinds of firearms, including semi-automatic assault rifles, sawed off shotguns, handguns, and even a silencer,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  “Convicted felons illegally selling this kind of firepower is a dangerous combination.”

“The detectives on this investigation worked tirelessly over months to build a case that resulted in the removal of dangerous weapons off our streets and the arrests of those responsible,” said Chief John Diaz, Seattle Police Department.

According to the indictment, the weapons were sold to a person working with law enforcement over a period of months in early 2012.  The sales occurred in Renton, Washington.  Five of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to unlawfully deal firearms, and unlawfully dealing in firearms.  Individually, four of the men are charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. Their prior felonies include:

ANDRE M. CONERLY        – Three convictions for theft

JOSHUA DAWSON             – Convictions for robbery and theft

JAMES L. HENDERSON     – Two convictions for unlawful possession of firearm, and theft of a firearm

DJUAN O. GARDNER         – Three controlled substances convictions, two unlawful possession of a firearm, and a forgery conviction.

Additionally, ALEXANDER J. OLIVIO-ALTHEIMER is charged with possession of an unregistered firearm for his possession of a sawed off shotgun on January 31, 2012.  ANDRE M. CONERLY is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm silencer, for his possession of an unregistered rifle silencer on February 15, 2012.

“The first step was taking these deadly weapons off the street, and the next was arresting gang members who would wield them,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Steven M. Dean.  “The Seattle Safe Streets Task Force will repeat this successful formula as often as we need to because AK-47s and other assault rifles have no place in our community.  Today’s arrests highlight that the law enforcement community is at its best when working together.”

“These arrests exemplify what can happen when dedicated law enforcement professionals work together to combat criminals and protect communities,” said Kelvin Crenshaw, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Seattle Field Division. “And to those that would illegally sell guns, fuel violent crime and create fear on our streets I suggest you sit-up and take notice - the safety and security of our communities is not negotiable.  Not today, not tomorrow – not ever.”           

If convicted the men face up to ten years in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was jointly investigated by the FBI, the Seattle Police Department Gang Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Brown.