Eleven charged in firearms investigation in Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, police still searching for suspect

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - Eleven people have been charged following a multi-agency investigation into firearms and narcotics offenses in Benton Harbor and Grand Rapids, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

Early Thursday morning, a number of law enforcement agencies performed search warrants in the two cities.

Five people were arrested Thursday morning.

Another five were in custody for previous charges.

Law enforcement are still searching for 23-year-old Eric Williams, who is wanted for conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun.

Later in the day, a federal court in Grand Rapids unsealed a criminal complaint against the defendants for firearms and narcotics offenses.

According to U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, many of the individuals were illegally possessing and distributing firearm conversion devices, also known as switches.

These switches can easily transform a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic firearm.

The following men have been charged in the investigation:

• Evorion Anderson, 20, of Benton Harbor - distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Jayvon Anthony, 21, of Benton Harbor - possession or transfer of a machine gun, conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun, felon in possession of a firearm
• Earl Austin IV, 21, of Benton Harbor - distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession or transfer of a machine gun, conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun
• Quincy Bowman, 25, of Benton Harbor - conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun
• Omarion Branch, 19, of Benton Harbor - felon in possession of a firearm
• Torez Burnett, 20, of Benton Harbor - conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun
• Nicholas Hallo, 32, of Grand Rapids - felon in possession of a firearm
• Demetrius Seuell, 22, of Benton Harbor - possession or transfer of a machine gun, conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun
• Timothy Thomas, 25, of Benton Harbor - felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition
• Armando Villanueva, 22, of Grand Rapids - conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun
• Eric Williams, 23, of Grand Rapids - conspiracy to possess or transfer a machine gun

If you have any information on where Williams is, please call the United States Marshals Service at 616-456-2438.

He is believed to be in the Benton Harbor or Grand Rapids area.