8 facing federal charges after ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods takedown’ in Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas — Several local and federal authorities announced on Thursday that eight people were arrested in a “Project Safe Neighborhoods takedown” in Lubbock. Officials said some suspects were charged with dealing fentanyl and meth, and some had illegal guns.

U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton talked about the charges that the eight individuals faced.

“These defendants who have long vexed the Lubbock area, are charged with a variety of federal crimes. From possessing a firearm as a convicted felon to distributing methamphetamine to conspiring to distribute Fentanyl,” Simonton said.

Four of the eight suspects are known felons, according to Simonton.

“We expect more arrests to come,” Simonton said.

According to Simonton, about 40 officers and agents participated in the “significant” takedown. The ATF, DEA, FBI Lubbock, Homeland Security Investigations, Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Tech Police Department and Plainview Police Department were included. Simonton talked about how their arrest will impact the future of Lubbock.

“We are certainly looking forward to holding these defendants accountable in a court of law, but more importantly we’re hopeful that taking them off the streets will have a tangible effect on the people of Lubbock,” Simonton said.

ATF Public Information Officer Sara Abel described the eight arrestees as “menacing.” According to Abel, 12 guns were seized. One gun had a machine gun conversion device, another was stolen and another had potentially been used in a previous crime. Abel said more than 900 grams of meth, two ounces of cocaine and 10 pounds of marijuana were taken off the streets of Lubbock.

Authorities urged the public to store their guns properly to make sure they don’t end up in criminals’ hands. Officials suggested removing guns from vehicles at night and keeping guns safely stored indoors.

Those arrested include:

• Corey Rashad Gilmore, indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm
  
• Justin Tyrece Crawford, indicted on one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm
  
• Joe Lewis Ybarra, Jr., indicted on one count of felon in possession of a firearm
  
• Wesley Glenn York, Jr., indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm
  
• Landon Henderson Jackson, indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
  
• Matthew Nelson, indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
  
• Kelli Lenay Hargrave, indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
  
• Philip Murphy, indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

“One additional target, Matthew De La Cruz, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, remains a fugitive,” a press release stated. “Members of the public with information regarding his whereabouts are urged to contact the DEA’s Dallas Field Division at 214-366-6900.”

De La Cruz was later taken into custody by the DEA in Plainview.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “Project Safe Neighborhoods surges federal and local resources to communities’ most violent neighborhoods in order to root out the area’s worst offenders and build positive relationships with crime victims and witnesses.”

LPD Chief Seth Herman, U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton and ATF Public Information Officer Sara Abel gave the announcement. DEA Resident Agent in Charge Nick Powell, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Captain Anthony Castillo, Texas DPS Regional Director J.C. Longway, Lubbock County DA Sunshine Stanek and HSI Resident Agent in Charge Tim Raymond were also present.

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