Eight Face Federal Charges Following Lubbock ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ Operation

LUBBOCK, TX – Several local and federal officials announced eight individuals are under federal indictment for their involvement in illegally modified firearms and drug trafficking operations across the South Plains region on Thursday, September 5, 2024, according to reports. 

The charges, brought forward by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, include being a felon in possession of a firearm and trafficking fentanyl.

These actions are part of a broader initiative under the Justice Department’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods”. This program works in partnership with local and state agencies to reduce crime rates in the local area. 

U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton stated that the initiative specifically targets repeat offenders who have been a persistent issue in local communities, particularly those involved in illegal firearm possession.

According to Simonton, four of the eight suspects have prior felony convictions. 

"We expect more arrests to come," Simonton added.

Reports state the prosecution highlights the commitment to addressing and combating criminal activities that threaten public safety and highlights ongoing efforts to tackle both firearm violations and drug trafficking within the region.

Approximately 40 officers and agents took action in the "significant" operation. The effort involved 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.

ATF Public Information Officer Sara Abel described the eight individuals arrested as "menacing." 

Abel reported that authorities seized 12 firearms, including one equipped with a machine gun conversion device, one that was stolen, and another believed to be linked to a previous crime. In addition, more than 900 grams of methamphetamine, two ounces of cocaine, and 10 pounds of marijuana were removed from the streets of Lubbock.

Authorities urged the public to properly secure their firearms to prevent them from being accessed by criminals. They suggested removing guns from vehicles overnight and ensuring they are safely stored indoors.

The list of arrests is below:

• 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

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