ATF Operation Leads to Multiple Arrests, Recovery of 82 Firearms

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that, on Tues., Feb. 25, 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a series of search warrants as part of “Operation Cold Snap,” resulting in federal charges against 16 individuals for federal firearm and drug trafficking crimes.  The operation further resulted in the recovery of 82 illegal firearms, some of which were stolen; approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine, and approximately 300 grams of heroin.   

Over the last several months, the ATF Anchorage Field Office initiated multiple investigations into firearms and narcotics traffickers operating in the Municipality of Anchorage and the surrounding areas.  As a result of this operation, the following individuals are now facing charges alleged in ten separate federal indictments:

• Clay Millhouse, a/k/a “Bear,” 34, and Shad Rider-Sorden, a/k/a “Shadow,” 28, both of Anchorage, are charged with conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms, and possession of stolen firearms.  Millhouse is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms;
   
• Michael Proctor, 34, of Anchorage, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;
   
• Nathaniel Sofianos, 30, and Korina Thompson, 32, both of Wasilla, have been charged with distribution of controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being felons in possession of firearms.
   
• Xenophon Xayamonty, a/k/a “Rexy,” a/k/a, “X,” 31, of Anchorage, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine, and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime;
   
• Realann Odsigue, 27, and Rene Laxa, 26, both of Anchorage, are both charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine;
   
• Dorian Topps, 26, Isaiah Cross, 27, and Kevin Glover, 37, all of Anchorage, are charged with distribution of methamphetamine;
   
• Christopher Poindexter, 34, and Roxanne Reed, 37, both of Anchorage, are charged with distribution of a controlled substance.  Poindexter is also charged with carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and Reed is also charged with being a felon in possession;
   
• Dana Dwyer, 43, of Wasilla, is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms;
   
• Marcus Jones, 48, of Anchorage, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; and
   
• Lanyegia Davis, 29, of Anchorage, is charged with distribution of heroin.

The charges in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  

Operation Cold Snap is the product of an investigation led by the ATF Anchorage Field Office, with substantial assistance provided by the Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), the Anchorage Airport Police, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS).  These cases are being prosecuted out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Klugman, Allison O’Leary, Kelly Cavanaugh, William Taylor, Carole Holley, Stephan Collins; and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers.

During the course of the investigation, several leads were generated from ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).  NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crime involving firearms.  NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.  For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

These cases were investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.  In November 2019, DOJ also announced the launch of Project Guardian, a nationwide strategic plan to reduce gun violence, which serves as a complementary effort to the success of PSN, and emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.