As part of Operation Take Back America, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson has announced federal charges against 18 individuals for offenses including illegal firearm transactions, bank robbery, and immigration-related violations. The charges were detailed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
Among those charged is Walter Adonai Rivera Chinchilla, 24, of Charlotte, accused of making false statements during firearm purchases and dealing firearms without a license. He is alleged to have acted as a straw purchaser, obtaining firearms for Fausto Odalis Reyes Guevara, 27, a Honduran national who has also been charged with unlawful firearm possession while in the U.S. illegally. According to the indictment, Chinchilla falsely claimed to be the actual buyer of the firearms and coordinated purchases based on requests from Guevara.
Other individuals charged include Jose Francisco Meraz-Villatoro, 31, a Mexican national accused of firearm possession following multiple deportations. Carlos Sarmiento-Ochoa, Gial Obed Rodas-Hernandez, and Jose Alberto Velazquez-Trejo face similar charges related to illegal reentry and firearm possession.
Dwayne Furlow Chaney and Marshall Demetrius Rice, both of Charlotte, were also indicted for being felons in possession of firearms. They were allegedly found with Smith & Wesson handguns despite prior felony convictions.
These cases were investigated as part of a broader federal initiative involving the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods. The operation was supported by multiple federal and local agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and area law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Prosecution of these cases will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Criminal Division in Charlotte.
