ASHEVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A federal grand jury in Asheville has returned multiple indictments charging several individuals with criminal charges that include unlawful firearm possession, straw purchasing of firearms, and trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine. Protecting our commun ities from drugs and guns is one of the Justice Department’s core missions. Through Operation Take Back America we are stepping up our efforts to remove illegal firearms from our communities, eliminate drugs in our neighborhoods, and make sure our streets are safer for everyone. Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Bryan Austin Herron, 23, of Marshall, N.C., was indicted for the unlawful possession of afirearm. The indictment alleges that on August 5, 2024, Herron unlawfully possessed aRugerEC9S 9mm handgun, knowing he had prior felony convictions, including attempt to trafficmethamphetamine. John Quentin London, 39, of Hendersonville, N.C., is charged with possession with intent todistribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of two firearms: a Smith and Wesson,model 649, .38 caliber revolver, and a Smith and Wesson, model SD9, 9mm pistol. Jason Mills, 46, of Hendersonville, is charged with multiple counts of distribution of fentanyland methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Mills trafficked fentanyl andmethamphetamine in Henderson and Buncombe Counties between January and February 2024. Christopher O’Brien Moore, 30, of Shelby, North Carolina, is charged with unlawful possessionof a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that, on June 6, 2024, Moore, knowing thathe had previously been convicted of a federal racketeering conspiracy and multiple statefelonies, unlawfully possessed a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber pistol and ammunition. Dontavis Raheem Pressley, 36, of Shelby, N.C., is charged with the unlawful possession of afirearm. The indictment alleges that, on August 13, 2024, Pressley possessed a Glock model 43,9mm caliber pistol, knowing he was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing afirearm. Tia Marche Ray, 33, of Asheville, is charged with five counts of straw purchasing firearms. Theindictment alleges that between July 12, 2020, and August 3, 2022, Ray acquired six firearmsfrom multiple dealers in Buncombe County, by making false statements in connection with theacquisition of the firearms, falsely representing that she was the actual buyer of the firearms. ...read more read less