Sacramento Gang Member Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Weapons Possession

SACRAMENTO, CA—A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Omar Williams, 40, of Sacramento, charging him with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Williams, a member of the Meadowview Bloods street gang, was located inside a Sacramento residence on November 8, 2013, with two stolen firearms and a kitchen being used as a crack cocaine conversion lab. Federal agents recovered several thousands of dollars in cash inside a safe in the residence that is suspected of being proceeds from crack sales. Williams has several prior state felony convictions, including assault with a firearm on a firefighter/police, possession of cocaine base for sale, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. Williams also has two federal felony convictions for possession of cocaine base for sale and felon in possession of a firearm. Williams was ordered detained pending trial in this matter.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sacramento Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and a mandatory consecutive five-year sentence for the firearm violation and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Williams may also face forfeiture of the money seized on November 8, 2013, if it is demonstrated that the money comes from drug sales. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.