KILLEEN, Texas — A large-scale, joint gang-enforcement operation in Killeen led by the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrests of 37 suspected violent offenders and fugitives, according to the Killeen Police Department.
The three-day operation, labeled "Operation First Strike," was led by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Killeen Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The operation aimed to combat gang-related violence in Killeen by targeting and arresting fugitives wanted for high-profile crimes like homicide, felony assault , sexual assault, illegal possession of firearms, illegal drug distribution, robbery and arson.
Of the 37 arrests, KPD said 13 were gang members or associates, KPD officials said.
Killeen police said the operation was meant to send a message to violent criminals in the Killeen area.
"Operations like First Strike will continue," KPD wrote in a press release. "The violence in Killeen, Bell County and the Western District of Texas will continue to be addressed."
The department sent KCEN Channel 6 the list of the people arrested and what they were charged with. Sixteen out of the 37 people arrested face drug charges. Of those 16 people with drug charges, six of them are facing an additional, non-drug charge.
Drug Charges
- Ronald Horne, 22: Arrested on parole warrant, possession of controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon
- Travis Davis, 30: Probation warrant, dangerous drugs
- Augustin Ramirez, 34: Possession of marijuana 2 to 4 ounces
- Timbritt Barnes, 25: Felon in possession of firearm and controlled substance
- Devonta Robinson, 24: Possession of controlled substance
- Geraldo Byers, 44: Possession of controlled substance
- Jacqueline Harris, 54: Failure to appear and drug paraphernalia
- Jonathan Wimberly, 42: Possession of controlled substance
- Micahel Lahue, 27: Parole warrant, possession of controlled substance
- Willie Lackerson, 33: Warrant for possession of controlled substance
- James Roberson, 56: Parole warrant, failure to appear and possession of controlled substance
- Kaleb Bedburick, 29: Possession of marijuana under 2 ounces
- James Bradley, 46: Possession of marijuana under two ounces, felon in possession of firearm and other federal charges pending
- Briana Martin-Dimas, 19: Possession of controlled substance PG3
- Derrick Jackson, 49: Parole warrant, driving with invalid license and possession of controlled substance
- Jamez Bradley, 23: Drug paraphernalia
Violent Crime Charges
- Pamela Newton, 52: Parole warrant, murder
- Dexter Washington, 46: Probation warrant, assault of a family member and failure to identify fugitive
- Xavier Adams, 22: Failure to appear, strangulation
- Tranisha Carter, 30: Parole warrant, assault on a peace officer, failure to identify fugitive
Gun Charges
- Charles Turner, 36: Federal warrant arrest, possession of firearm by felon
- Shemorgan Bernard, 32: Parole warrant, firing weapon
- Antonio Tyree, 26: Theft of a firearm, other federal charges pending
Theft, robbery and burglary charges
- Gerald Duke, 47: Probation warrant, burglary of vehicles
- Dana McGowan, 30: Parole warrant, evading in a vehicle and felony theft of property
- Sierra Lee, 23: Warrant, theft of property
- Bryan Jennings, 35: Parole warrant, robbery
- Cherella Lyles, 32: Kettering Municipal Court warrant, theft
- Raymond Asbury, 22: Warrant, burglary of vehicles
Traffic Charges
- Breauna Ware, 26: Hindering apprehension and driving with invalid license
- Josey Gomez, 53: Probation warrant, driving with invalid license
Other Charges
- Billy Shell, 30: Probation warrant, failure to comply with sex offender registration
- Desmond Ware, 46: Interference with duties of public servant
- Joseph Green, 32: Federal warrant, counterfeiting
- Miles Brickell, 53: Harboring a fugitive
- Quythelia Smith, 29: Warrant, failure to appear
- Terrell Lowe, 26: Federal warrant, no charge listed
