Project Safe Neighborhoods News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. At the core of PSN is setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place. U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announces the following actions in federal PSN cases.

Indictments

Sukhmanpreet Singh Jawanda, 20, of Yuba City, was charged Thursday in a five-count indictment with unlawfully dealing firearms without a license, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. According to court documents, Jawanda sold fentanyl and at least six firearms to an undercover agent in 2022. On March 25, 2022, law enforcement officers pulled Jawanda over for a traffic stop as he traveled on Interstate‑5 in San Joaquin County and found him to be in possession of over 30,000 fentanyl pills, a kilogram of cocaine, and a firearm. This case was the product of an investigation by the DEA, the ATF, the CHP, and the Yuba-Sutter Narcotics Enforcement Team-5. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alstyn Bennett is prosecuting the case.

Brothers Brian Keith Johnson, 25, and Branden Lamont Johnson, 23, both of Stockton, were each charged Thursday with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, law enforcement officers arrested Brian Johnson and Branden Johnson after they fled on foot from a car following a chase by officers. Brian Johnson was in possession of an assault rifle with a drum attached to it holding more than 60 rounds of ammunition. Branden Johnson was carrying a handgun. Both defendants are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of prior felony convictions. Branden Johnson has been convicted of carrying a loaded concealed weapon, and Brian Johnson has been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm with a large capacity magazine, and participating in a criminal street gang. This case is the product of an investigation by the ATF and the Stockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Pearson is prosecuting the case.

This case is also part of Operation Ceasefire, a collaboration of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and the Stockton Police Department to establish a peaceful community by investigating and prosecuting members and associates of criminal groups who continue to commit serious and violent felonies in the city, including individuals who have previously been prosecuted for illegal gun and gang-related crimes.

Phillip Pulido, 53, of Clovis, was indicted Thursday, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm. According to court documents, on April 12, 2023, Pulido was found to be in possession of six .22-caliber rifles, a .22-caliber pistol, two shotguns, and a 9 mm handgun. Pulido had previously been convicted of felonies and is prohibited from possessing firearms. In addition, he possessed an unregistered firearm. This case is a product of an investigation by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Stokman is prosecuting the case.

If Jawanda is convicted of the distribution of fentanyl or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million; if convicted of unlawful dealing in firearms, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000; if convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Jawanda faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. If convicted, Brian Johnson and Branden Johnson each face a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, Pulido faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for being a felon in possession of a firearm and a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for possession of an unregistered firearm.. Any sentences, 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Guilty Plea

Bruce Lamont Walker, 54, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, Walker was convicted in 2014 for a domestic violence offense and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Walker had only been on parole for three months when a parole search resulted in the discovery of an AR‑15 style “ghost gun” (privately made without a serial number) in his bedroom. Also found was an extended magazine with 27 rounds of ammunition. Walker is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition on account of seven prior felony convictions, including two felony crimes of violence and multiple firearms related felonies. This case is the product of an investigation by the ATF, CDCR‑Division of Adult Parole Operations, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Enforcement Team, and the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case. Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2023. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.