Huntsville police recovered 19 firearms and arrested nine people during a three-day Huntsville gun violence operation from October 16-18, the department said Thursday.
Three of the guns had devices or modifications designed to allow automatic fire. Two were confirmed stolen, according to the Huntsville Police Department.
HPD’s Anti-Crime Team led the operation, with proactive patrols across the city. Police said the goal was to increase visibility, identify criminal activity and recover illegally possessed firearms before someone used them in a violent crime.
Agencies involved
The Anti-Crime Team worked with the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center, the North Alabama Drug Task Force, HPD’s K-9 Unit and its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit.
The Owens Cross Roads Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also took part.
“We are not waiting for gun violence to happen before taking action,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “By working together, our local, state and federal partners can identify criminal activity, remove illegally possessed firearms and take proactive steps to prevent violence in our community.”
Who was arrested
Police released details on nine arrests. All charges are accusations, and the department did not say how any of the cases have moved through court.
- October 16: After a traffic stop, police arrested 18-year-old Maurice Ty’quavis Jessiah Hewlett Jr. of Huntsville and charged him with two counts of possession of a machine gun conversion device. Police also arrested a 17-year-old male at the same stop and charged him with minor in possession of a firearm. HPD did not name the juvenile.
- October 16: Madison County sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle and recovered an AK-style pistol. Police arrested 24-year-old Laron Anthony Coley of Huntsville and charged him with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, citing pending violent felony charges from an earlier arrest.
- October 17: During a traffic stop, officers recovered a firearm equipped with a machine gun conversion device. Police arrested 18-year-old Ra’Keem Ramond Parks of Birmingham and charged him with possession of a machine gun conversion device.
- October 17: After a vehicle pursuit on Hall Avenue, police arrested 20-year-old Jaquavion Demond Hamlett of Huntsville on a felony charge of attempting to elude. They also arrested 19-year-old Kamron Javier Leamon of Huntsville and charged him with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. Investigators determined pending violent felony charges from an earlier arrest barred him from having a gun.
- October 18: After a vehicle pursuit, police arrested 18-year-old Kejuan Jabray Lamb-Gregg of Adamsville and charged him with felony attempting to elude, reckless endangerment and second-degree receiving stolen property. They also arrested 18-year-old Rodrickus Bernard Jones of Birmingham and charged him with second-degree receiving stolen property.
- October 18: Officers saw 24-year-old Mondarius Javeze Thompson of Huntsville armed with a handgun during an incident in the 2000 block of Poole Drive. Police reported no injuries and charged him with menacing.
Investigations continue
Several cases remain under active investigation, including possible federal violations. Police said investigators may consider additional charges as they review the cases.
HPD said it will keep working with its law enforcement partners on proactive operations to reduce violent crime and keep guns away from people prohibited from having them.
For more local coverage, see our Huntsville news page.