United States Drug Enforcement Administration

OAKLAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners announced today the results of a surge in federal firearm enforcement measures in Oakland.  From March 2026 to July 2026, coordinated federal and local law enforcement efforts resulted in the seizure of 76 illegally possessed firearms.  Over the same period, the U.S. Attorney’s Office brought federal criminal charges against 51 defendants.

“These successful enforcement results demonstrate the commitment to working alongside with our federal, state, and local partners, we will continue to reduce violence and protect the residents of Oakland. “This coordinated action was a combination of DEA’s increased focus on enforcement, intelligence, and protecting our communities,” said DEA San Francisco Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge, Bob P. Beris. 

“The people of Oakland deserve peace in their daily lives.  Working with our federal, state, and local partners, we took dozens of dangerous, armed felons off the street and made Oakland a safer place to live,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.  “Rest assured that our work is not done.  To the residents of Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and the many great cities in Northern California, we will do everything we can to make our communities safer.  And to the offenders out there, if you illegally carry a firearm, we will find you and bring you to justice.”

“The violent crime initiative was formed as a collaborative effort to address violent crime and illegal possessors of firearms in Alameda County with a focus on the city of Oakland,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge John Wester. “There were multiple arrests made in connection with this initiative.  One case we can highlight is the Oakland nightclub shooting.  That shooting resulted in two people being killed.  Through this initiative, one of the individuals involved in that shootout, who is also a prohibited person, was charged.”

“Ensuring our community’s safety from gun violence requires collaboration,” said Oakland Police Assistant Chief Casey Johnson.  “We appreciate our law enforcement partners for providing the resources and intelligence needed to hold 51 violent offenders accountable and remove illegal firearms from our streets. The Oakland Police Department is grateful for the teamwork that helps protect our residents, businesses, and visitors."

“Federal, state, and local teamwork is the reason this surge delivered results. By working side‑by‑side with the Oakland Police Department and our state and federal law enforcement partners, we were able to identify and target the individuals driving gun violence in Oakland” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble.  “Together, we helped seize 76 illegally possessed firearms and supported federal charges against 51 defendants during this initiative.  Our shared commitment to intelligence‑driven enforcement and community safety is making a measurable difference.  The FBI San Francisco division will continue to stand with our partners to reduce violence and protect the people of Oakland.”

Examples of recently charged federal firearms cases include:

• Jarvis Toussaint, 40, was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition and allegedly engaging in a shootout in a crowded downtown Oakland nightclub in the early morning of March 7, 2026, in which two people were killed, including a schoolteacher who was shot as she attempted to run from the gunfire.  At least five others also suffered gunshot wounds during the incident.  Toussaint was charged by complaint on May 8, 2026, and was indicted on May 14, 2026.  
• Brice Burford, 25, was charged by complaint with being a prohibited person (having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence) in possession of a firearm.  At the time of his arrest, Burford was being investigated by Oakland Police Department for his alleged involvement in a robbery on the Oakland Blade where he was suspected of engaging in human trafficking.  Burford was charged by complaint on March 31, 2026, and pled guilty on July 9, 2026.  Sentencing is set before Judge Gonzalez Rogers on October 1, 2026.  
• Miguel Martinez, 39, was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition.  He was charged by indictment on May 7, 2026, and a change of plea hearing is set before Judge Tigar on August 21, 2026.  
• Kawan Hardy, 33, and Jamonn Blincoe, 32, were charged by complaint with being felons in possession of ammunition and for their alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on January 23, 2026, in a parking lot that is located across the street from two schools in Oakland.  On June 12, 2026, Hardy pled guilty and on July 10, 2026, Blincoe pled guilty.  Hardy’s sentencing is set before Judge Tigar on September 11, 2026.  Blincoe’s sentencing is set before Judge Tigar on October 16, 2026.  

 The recent increased operations involved coordination among the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, ATF, the Oakland Police Department, FBI, the United States Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Oakland Housing Authority, and the California Highway Patrol’s Golden Gate Division.  

 A criminal complaint, information, or indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.