Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No.

AUSA:
1 filedBarbara
09/11/20
LanningPageID.1 Telephone:
Page 1 of 17226-9100
(313)
AO 91 (Rev. ) Criminal Complaint Special Agent: Brett Brandon Telephone: (313) 202-3400

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

for the
Eastern District of Michigan

United States of America

v.
Case: 2:20−mj−30370
Jeremy Massey, Jr. Case No. Assigned To : Unassigned
Assign. Date : 9/11/2020
USA V. MASSEY (CMP)(CMC)

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

On or about the date(s) of September 10, 2020 in the county of Wayne in the
Eastern District of Michigan , the defendant(s) violated:
Code Section Offense Description
18 USC § 922(n) Receipt of a firearm by a person under Indictment
18 USC § 922(g)(3) Unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm

This criminal complaint is based on these facts:

see attached affidavit.

✔ Continued on the attached sheet.

Complainant’s signature

Brett J. Brandon, Special Agent (ATF)

Printed name and title
Sworn to before me and signed in my presence
DQGRUE\UHOLDEOHHOHFWURQLFPHDQV

Date: September 11, 2020 Judge’s signature

City and state: Detroit, Michigan Hon. R. Steven Whalen, United States Magistrate Judge
Printed name and title
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.2 Page 2 of 17

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF AN CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

I, Brett J. Brandon, being first duly sworn, hereby state:

1. I have been a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms, and Explosives, United States Department of Justice, assigned to the

Detroit Field Division since July 2013. I graduated from the Criminal Investigator

Training Program and the ATF Special Agent Basic Training Program at the

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. During my

employment with ATF, I have conducted and/or participated in numerous criminal

investigations involving the illegal possession, use, and sale of firearms, drug

trafficking violations, and criminal street gangs.

2. I make this affidavit from personal knowledge based on my

participation in this investigation, including interviews conducted by myself and/or

other law enforcement agents, communications with others who have personal

knowledge of the events and circumstances described herein, and information

gained through my training and experience.

3. ATF is currently conducting a criminal investigation concerning

JEREMY MASSEY JR. (B/M; DOB: XX/XX/2001) for violations of 18 U.S.C. §

922(n) – Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment, and 18 U.S.C. §

922(g)(3) – Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm,

among other state and federal criminal violations.

 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.3 Page 3 of 17

PROBABLE CAUSE

INSTAGRAM

4. In March 2020, Affiant began monitoring the Instagram Profile

associated with Instagram User ID “eastbabyslim.” The user of the “eastbabyslim”

account subsequently changed the User ID to “tlg__slim”, then “cclslim_” and

most recently “_cclslim”. Through training and experience, Affiant knows that

Instagram account users can change their User ID without changing or modifying

the ownership or content of their account.

5. Throughout March through September 2020, Affiant has reviewed

“stories” (short videos or images that can be posted to an Instagram user’s account

and displayed publically or to the user’s followers in a private account), and other

images and videos posted by Instagram User ID “eastbabyslim.”

6. Affiant compared the individual depicted and held out as Instagram

user “eastbabyslim” in the account’s images and videos to a Michigan Secretary of

State image of MASSEY dated May 17, 2016. Image 6a is MASSEY’s SOS

photo. Affiant identified MASSEY as the individual depicted in the images and

videos and determined MASSEY accessed and utilized the “eastbabyslim”

account. Image 6c was posted by Instagram User ID “eastbabyslim” on or about

March 30, 2020 and depicts MASSEY (in the jean jacket) holding what appears to

be a black and silver pistol and holding what appears to be a marijuana blunt.
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.4 Page 4 of 17

Affiant knows the individual depicted in the black hoodie to be MYTEZ TERALL

POWELL, whom affiant previously investigated and arrested for violating 18

U.S.C. 922 § (g)(3) – User of Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm,

specifically marijuana. In the image, Image 6b is a cropped version of the photo in

Image 6c.

Image 6a Image 6b
Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.5 Page 5 of 17

Image 6c
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.6 Page 6 of 17

7. On March 25, 2020, Instagram User ID “eastbabyslim” posted a series

of video stories depicting what appeared to be marijuana buds and marijuana in a

plastic bag on a table. The final video in the series showed MASSEY smoking

what appears to be a marijuana blunt inside of a vehicle. Images 7a and 7b are

screenshots of these video stories.

Image 7a Image 7b
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.7 Page 7 of 17

8. On August 17, 2020, Instagram User ID “_cclslim” posted Image

8a—a photo depicting MASSEY smoking what appears to be an object consistent

with marijuana blunt/cigar.

Image 8a
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.8 Page 8 of 17

9. On August 24, 2020, Instagram User ID “_cclslim” posted Image 14a to the

user’s story. Image 9a depicts MASSEY (right) wearing a brown messenger

shoulder bag holding what appeared to a Glock pistol. Immediately thereafter,

Instagram User ID “_cclslim” posted a video story of the user retrieving what

appeared to be a Glock pistol from the brown messenger shoulder bag. Image 9b is

a screenshot of this video.

Image 9a Image 9b
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.9 Page 9 of 17

10. On August 28, 2020, Instagram User ID “_cclslim” posted a series of

video stories depicting MASSEY brandishing what appeared to be a Glock pistol

while seated in a vehicle. One of the videos captured a Glock pistol pointed at

what appeared to be a marijuana blunt. Images 10a, 10b, and 10c are screenshots.

Image 10a Image 10b Image 10c

 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.10 Page 10 of 17

11. On September 6, 2020, Instagram User ID “_cclslim” posted a video

story depicting the driver of a vehicle holding an opened bag containing what

appeared to be marijuana. Affiant noted the driver of the vehicle, whose face was

not shown, appeared to film the video and was wearing red pants. Image 11a is a

screenshot of that video.

Image 11a
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.11 Page 11 of 17

12. In the early morning hours of September 7, 2020, Instagram User ID

“_cclslim” posted a video story depicting a Glock pistol with an attached

aftermarket light on a bed next to a black male with what appeared to be braided

hair, similar to MASSEY’s. The face of the person capturing the video is not

visible. Image 20 is a screenshot of this video. Affiant noted the hexagon shapes

patterned on the bed sheet, which appears to be the same bed sheet depicted in the

video of the disassembled Glock posted from the same account on September 1,

2020.

Image 12a
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.12 Page 12 of 17

RECENT POLICE CONTACT AND CRIMINAL HISTORY

13. On December 11, 2019, the Detroit Police Department conducted a

traffic stop of a white Chevrolet Tahoe in the area of Spencer Street and Eight Mile

Road in the city of Detroit. There were four occupants in the vehicle, including

MASSEY, who was seated in the rear driver’s seat. During the stop, the officers

noted they immediately smelled a strong odor of freshly burnt marijuana emitting

from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Officers subsequently searched

the vehicle and recovered a black pistol from the rear passenger side floorboard.

14. Affiant reviewed a computerized criminal history (CCH), Michigan

Sixth Circuit court records, Michigan Sixteenth Circuit court records and MDOC

records regarding MASSEY.

15. MASSEY is currently under indictment for felony offenses in the

Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court and Macomb County Sixteenth Circuit Court.

On January 30, 2020 MASSEY was arraigned in 52-1 District Court on an arrest

warrant for Felony – Unarmed Robbery.

16. On March 6, 2020, MASSEY was arraigned in Michigan Sixth

Circuit Court (Oakland) for Felony – Unarmed Robbery charge and is scheduled

for jury trial on September 18, 2020. Felony – Unarmed Robbery is a charge

punishable by a sentence of more than one year in prison.

 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.13 Page 13 of 17

17. On March 16, 2020, MASSEY was arraigned in Michigan Sixteenth

Circuit Court (Macomb) on the following charges: Felony Fleeing and Eluding in

the Third degree, Felony Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer,

Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, and Driving While License

Suspended. MASSEY is scheduled for a pretrial on September 24, 2020. Fleeing

and Eluding in the Third Degree and Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police

Officer are each charges punishable by a sentence of more than one year in prison.

FEDERAL SEARCH WARRANT

18. On September 9, 2020, Affiant obtained a federal search warrant for

MASSEY’S residence on Sunset Street in Detroit, Michigan from United States

Magistrate Judge R. Stephen Whalen.

19. On September 10, 2020 at approximately 3:26 pm, the ATF Detroit

Crime Gun Enforcement Team (CGET) executed the federal search warrant at the

residence on Sunset Street in Detroit, Michigan.

20. CGET officers wearing “POLICE” and “ATF” identifiers approached

the residence and announced their presence. CGET officers explained to an

unidentified black woman standing in the doorway they had a search warrant for

the residence.
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.14 Page 14 of 17

21. At that time, an ATF Task Force Officer heard bushes rattling in the

backyard of the residence and announced that someone might be running from the

rear of the residence. Another Task Force Officer conducting surveillance for the

operation observed MASSEY, wearing a black t-shirt and red pants, running across

the street directly behind the residence. The Task Force Officer and Detroit Police

Department officers chased after MASSEY.

22. After a short foot chase, officers caught up to MASSEY in the

backyard of a residence nearby and placed him under arrest. The CGET officers

conducted a search of the Sunset Street residence and recovered one black Glock

41 .45 caliber pistol bearing serial number “YWE990” from inside a brown

messenger bag from on top of a built-in cabinet located in a makeshift bedroom in

the northeast part of basement.

23. The firearm and the messenger bag it was contained in appear to be

the same ones MASSEY previously posted to his Instagram account (Images 9a-b,

Images 10a-c, and Image 12a). Affiant also noted the sheets on the bed in the

makeshift bedroom of the basement matched the sheets in the videos MASSEY

previously posted to his Instagram account (Image 12a). The brown messenger bag

and firearm were located at the foot of the bed next to clothes the Affiant

previously observed MASSEY wearing on social media. CGET officers also

 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.15 Page 15 of 17

located and photographed MASSEY’s driver’s license and a copy of his birth

certificate in the makeshift bedroom.

24. CGET officers also recovered what appeared to be loose marijuana

and burned marijuana blunts from an ashtray located directly next to the firearm

and messenger bag. CGET officers noted the strong smell of freshly burnt

marijuana in the basement.

25. CGET officers also recovered a Glock pistol case with a sticker with

“41 gen 4 83277” in handwriting as well as a “TARGET SPORTS” sales sticker

for “$849.99” affixed to the box.

FIREARM REGISTRATION AND INTERSTATE NEXUS

26. An ATF Intelligence Research Specialist queried the firearm in the

Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and learned the

purchaser of the firearm purchased and registered the firearm on August 5, 2020.

To date, the firearm has not been reported stolen in the National Crime Information

Center (NCIC).
 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.16 Page 16 of 17

27. Special Agent Kenton Weston contacted Target Sports, a federal

firearms license (FFL) located in Royal Oak, Michigan, who confirmed they sold

the firearm to the purchaser on August 5, 2020. Affiant is aware this occurred after

MASSEY was arraigned in the Sixth Circuit Court of Michigan on March 6, 2020,

and after MASSEY was arraigned in the Sixteenth Circuit Court of Michigan on

March 16, 2020.

28. On September 11, 2020, Affiant contacted ATF Interstate Nexus

Expert, Special Agent Michael Jacobs and provided a verbal description of the

firearm. Based upon the verbal description, Special Agent Jacobs advised the

firearm is a firearm as defined under 18 U.S.C. § 921 and manufactured outside of

the state of Michigan after 1898, and therefore had traveled in and affected

interstate commerce.

CONCLUSION

29. Based upon the aforementioned facts stated herein, there is probable

cause to believe JEREMY MASSEY JR., a person under indictment and a user of a

controlled substance, namely marijuana, did knowingly and intentionally receive

and possess a Glock 41 .45 caliber pistol bearing serial number “YWE990” pistol

bearing, a firearm having affected interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §

922(n) – Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment, and 18 U.S.C. §

922(g)(3) – Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm.

 Case 2:20-mj-30370-DUTY ECF No. 1 filed 09/11/20 PageID.17 Page 17 of 17

Said violation occurring on September 10, 2020, in the city of Detroit, in the

County of Wayne, in the Eastern Judicial District of Michigan.

Respectfully submitted,

Brett J. Brandon, Special Agent

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives

Sworn to before me and signed in my presence

and/or by reliable electronic means.

_________________________________________
Hon. R. Steven Whalen
United States Magistrate Judge

Dated: September 11, 2020