Constitution State News

A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a nine-count indictment charging Neilcon St. Louis, 39, of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Davidson Alexander, also known as “Harley,” 29, a citizen of Dominica residing in Suffolk, Virginia, with offenses related to the illegal trafficking and export of firearms and firearm components from the U.S. to Dominica. The indictment was returned on September 5 and unsealed yesterday after St. Louis and Alexander were arrested.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tambrini of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston; Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson, ATF Boston Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis Jr., of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that from at least January 2021 through September 2024, St. Louis, Alexander, and others conspired to engage in dealing firearms without a license and to export firearms, firearm components, and ammunition from the U.S. to Dominica without authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Export Control Reform Act. The defendants allegedly purchased numerous firearm components from sellers on eBay which were then mailed to their relatives and acquaintances within the U.S., before being smuggled by mailing parcels containing them directly to co-conspirators in Dominica or through a Miami-based freight forwarding company.

St. Louis and Alexander are charged with one count each of conspiracy carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and one count each for conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act carrying up to 20 years' imprisonment each if convicted. Additionally, St. Louis faces five counts while Alexander faces four counts for violating this act—each count punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment—and both face charges for smuggling goods from the U.S., an offense carrying up to ten years' imprisonment per count.

Following their arrests, St. Louis appeared in New Haven while Alexander appeared in Norfolk, Virginia; both were released pending trial.

U.S Attorney Avery emphasized that "an indictment is only a charge" stressing that charges are allegations with defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

The investigation involves multiple agencies including: The Bureau Of Industry And Security under The U.S Department Of Commerce Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); The U.S Postal Inspection Service Bureau Of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms And Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division HSI Caribbean Dominica Customs Excise Division Commonwealth Of Dominica Police Force have assisted investigation

Assistant U S Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman Sean P Mahard Trial Attorney Yifei Zheng Counterintelligence Export Control Section prosecuting case Justice Department's Office International Affairs providing assistance

This case prosecuted Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces OCDETF Program identifies disrupts dismantles drug traffickers money launderers gangs transnational criminal organizations prosecutor-led intelligence-driven approach leveraging strengths federal state local law enforcement agencies Additional information OCDETF Program available https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF