Atlanta, GA
Five charged in metro Atlanta firearms bust during multi-agency immigration operation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in Atlanta. (FOX 5)
ATLANTA – Federal authorities have charged five individuals with firearms-related offenses following a weeklong, multi-agency immigration enforcement operation in metro Atlanta, officials announced Friday.
The coordinated effort — which ran from March 24 to April 2 — was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Local law enforcement agencies also assisted.
What we know:
In total, authorities seized 13 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Investigators say many of the firearms were headed for Mexico.
The following individuals were charged:
- Lucio Hernandez Mora, 45, of Riverdale, was charged with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present in the United States. He was arrested April 1 after agents found two firearms during a search of his residence.
- Cameron Vick, 22, of Atlanta, was indicted on nine counts of making false statements to a firearms dealer. Authorities believe the weapons he acquired — including two belt-fed M249S rifles — were destined for Mexico. He was arrested March 27.
- Bernice Macias Montes, 31, of Atlanta, was charged with making false statements to a firearms dealer. Five firearms were recovered from her home on March 27.
- Teresa Gonzales-Hoppo, 56, of Lithia Springs, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien illegally present in the U.S. A weapon was found in her home during a March 27 search.
- Carlos Sambrano, 28, of Rex, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Seven firearms were recovered from his residence that same day.
All five defendants have made their initial court appearances before federal magistrate judges in Atlanta.
What they’re saying:
“This initiative sends a strong message to those engaged in criminal activity, whether regarding immigration-related or firearms offenses,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “The determined ongoing and coordinated efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners will achieve measurable results in making our communities safer.”
HSI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank said the operation reflects “HSI’s unwavering commitment to upholding immigration laws and targeting illegal aliens allegedly possessing and trafficking in firearms.”
“By leveraging our partnerships and resources, we are identifying and apprehending those who exploit our immigration system to engage in criminal activities that threaten public safety and national security,” Schrank said.
Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons of the ATF added, “The success of these investigative efforts could not be accomplished without cohesive partnerships, which keep our communities safe.”
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Atlanta Division, said the enforcement “sends a clear message to the Mexican drug cartels and their criminal associates, that keeping our communities safe is our highest priority.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said the case “clearly illustrates the success that can be achieved when federal agencies unite their resources and expertise to combat violent criminals.”
Dig deeper:
The charges stem from Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, dismantle transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime. In Georgia, the initiative is coordinated by the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force.
The investigations were conducted with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Secret Service, Georgia State Patrol, and a wide range of local police departments and sheriff’s offices across metro Atlanta.
Federal prosecutors from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) are handling the prosecutions.
What we don’t know:
It was unclear if any of the defendants had retained legal representation.
Their next court date was not immediately known.
The Source: The details in this article were provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Police Department is investigating after a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed Saturday at a shopping center on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
What they’re saying:
Lt. Christapher Butler said officers responded to the shopping center in the 3000 block of MLK Jr. Drive just after noon. When they arrived, they found the teen shot to death in the parking lot.
Butler said the teen had been shopping with his family when he “had some words” with a group of males. The argument escalated and ended in gunfire.
Police say there is “good” security footage of the incident, and the victim’s family is cooperating with investigators.
Butler added that it was fortunate no one else was hurt during the busy holiday shopping season.
What you can do:
He encouraged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers:
“People don’t realize how much that helps,” Butler said. “Those tips are very valuable to us.”
What we don’t know:
The victim’s name has not been released while police notify next of kin.
The Source: Information in this article came from Lt. Christapher Butler who spoke with FOX 5 on the scene.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — There are several warming centers opening in DeKalb County and Atlanta ahead of cold nights.
“We are housing our unhoused neighbors, providing a warm space and place for them,” Will Butler with Frontline Response said.
Frontline Response International warming center has multiple beds and a lot of food for those who need it.
For Butler, it is important to give back to others.
“We hear it all the time, people are so thankful,” he said. “The hugs, the tears, the hand shakes, it makes it all worthwhile.”
In Atlanta, there are also two warming centers opening at the Central Park Recreation Center and the Old Adamsville Recreation Center.
The warming centers in DeKalb County opened at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
The Norman sisters definitely have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: they just won big on Family Feud.
The five sisters — four living in metro Atlanta and one in California — brought their energy, humor, and unmistakable charisma to the popular Steve Harvey-hosted game show. Their episodes, filmed back in March, finally aired this month.
As soon as they hit the stage, their enthusiasm was impossible to miss.
“We’re the Normans! Wooooo!” they cheered in their opening moment on screen.
Even Steve Harvey couldn’t help hyping them up: “From Atlanta, Georgia… It’s the Norman Family!”
A dream come true for a lifelong Family Feud fan
For sister Liz Knipe, who lives in Atlanta, appearing on the show was a bucket-list moment more than a decade in the making.
“I’ve wanted to be on Family Feud forever. My first audition was in 2014,” she said.
The sisters say their chemistry — and very different personalities — helped them stand out during the audition process.
“Seeing us all together, I think it just resonated with people,” said Ericka Grant, who lives in Buford.
Their big win: $60,000 and a luxury Las Vegas trip
And their on-screen charm paid off.
The Norman sisters walked away with $60,000 and a trip for all of them — plus a guest each — to the Bellagio in Las Vegas for a six-day, five-night getaway.
“Bam,” Liz said with a laugh. “Not just a vacation for us but a plus-one for each of us.”
Each sister has her own plan for how to spend her share of the prize money:
- Liz Knipe (Atlanta): “Praise the Lord, I’m going to be able to pay all my bills.”
- Ericka Grant (Buford): “I’m going to use it to have some fun with my boys and my husband.”
- Michelle Norman (Atlanta): “A nice down payment.”
- Alex Norman (Marietta): “I’m going to spend a little on myself. And my kids. And then some bills. But I’m paying myself first.”
Winning together meant more than the money
Despite the big payout, the sisters say the real reward was the time spent with each other.
“It’s a great bonding moment,” said Alex Norman. “We don’t always get a chance to do stuff together — all five of us.”
They say family and friends were thrilled to see them on national TV, laughing and playing as a team.
“It was nice for our family to see us together on TV, winning and having fun,” said Ericka.
Could the Norman sisters return to CBS on another show?
The sisters aren’t ruling out more TV in their future. In fact, they already have their eyes on other CBS competition shows.
“I’m trying to get my sister on The Amazing Race with me,” said Michelle. “But the goal is Survivor! That’s the goal.”
Where to watch their episode
The Norman sisters’ Family Feud episodes are now streaming.
You can catch them on Paramount+.
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