Program nets more indictments

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Violence, Gun Reduction Interdiction Program or V-GRIP is responsible for federal indictments against two more men for illegal possession of firearms.

Marcellus J. Wilkins, 23, of Youngstown has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He previously had been convicted of possession of cocaine in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

James Landis, 55, of Canfield has been charged with possessing firearm while being prohibited from doing so under a protection order. He had been the subject of a protection order through common pleas court prohibiting him from harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner.

The U.S. attorney’s office announced the indictments Wednesday.

V-GRIP enforcement in the Mahoning Valley has been in effect since July 4.

The program has been responsible for several other indictments including Lori Ivey, 41, of Youngstown and Damien T. Russ, 34, of Warren, both for illegally carrying a firearm; Donna L. Kasza, 49, of Youngstown, for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, illegal possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and Melvin E. Johnson, 25, of Youngstown for illegal possession of a firearm.