Three Gateway Men Arrested in South L.A. Federal Drug, Gun Charges

LOS ANGELES, CA - Six people were arrested Thursday in South Los Angeles on federal charges of illegal gun sales and drug distribution while authorities search for three others.

During the course of the investigation, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took more than 100 illegally trafficked firearms off the streets in and around Compton and Mona Park in Willowbrook, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The defendants face various federal charges, including conspiracy, illegal firearm sales, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and trafficking in crack cocaine and PCP, prosecutors said.

Those named in three indictments unsealed Thuesday in Los Angeles are:

• Gerald "Milkman" Tynes, 59, of South Los Angeles;
• Lekori Lee "Slim" Terrance, 33, of Bellflower;
• Francisco Juantonio "Freebo" Hilt, 39, of Compton;
• Sean Ronaldo Alexander, 37, of South Los Angeles;
• Tavon Dejuan "Bucket" Pickett, 29, of Compton;
• Robert Ennis Goree, 41, of South Los Angeles;
• Leonard "Smoke" Smith, of South Los Angeles; and
• Jamie Maurice Thomas, 37, of South Los Angeles, who is a fugitive.

The ninth defendant is named in a fourth indictment, which will remain under seal until the defendant is taken into custody.

In addition to the six arrested on federal charges, another three were taken into custody this week on state charges.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock