FORT WAYNE – Vorheese D. Zanders, Jr., a 32-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, has been sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.

This sentence was handed down by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady. Zanders pled guilty to charges of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Stacey R. Speith, revealed that Zanders and his fellow drug traffickers operated from Detroit to Fort Wayne between 2017 and 2018.

Zanders played a crucial role by supplying fentanyl, which the group distributed from various hotels and residences in Fort Wayne. Their operations were often fortified with firearms, underscoring the dangerous nature of their activities.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police, and Taylor Police Department in Michigan collaborated in investigating this case.

The joint efforts of these agencies were instrumental in dismantling the drug trafficking ring and bringing Zanders to justice.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence, thereby making neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which aims to strengthen PSN.

The strategy focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results to ensure effectiveness.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: A Community-Based Approach

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that integrates the efforts of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement with community leaders to develop effective crime reduction strategies.

By fostering trust within the community and supporting local organizations dedicated to violence prevention, PSN aims to create a safer environment for all residents.

One of the core principles of PSN is to support community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place.

By addressing the root causes of crime and providing resources for intervention, these organizations play a crucial role in the overall strategy.

The program also emphasizes the importance of setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, ensuring that law enforcement efforts are directed toward the most pressing issues.

According to the source, the collaboration between different law enforcement agencies in Zanders’ case exemplifies the strategic enforcement priority aspect of PSN.

By pooling resources and expertise, these agencies were able to effectively target and dismantle a dangerous drug trafficking operation. The successful prosecution of Zanders and his associates serves as a testament to the effectiveness of this collaborative approach.

Community Impact and Moving Forward

The sentencing of Vorheese D. Zanders, Jr. marks a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking and gun violence in Fort Wayne and beyond.

By removing a key player in the drug trade, law enforcement has taken a critical step toward reducing the availability of dangerous substances like fentanyl in the community.

The four years of supervised release following Zanders’ prison sentence will help ensure that he is closely monitored and deterred from returning to criminal activities.

This case highlights the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and violent crime.

The efforts of Project Safe Neighborhoods, supported by the recent violent crime reduction strategy, demonstrate a commitment to making communities safer and more secure.

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