Two Camden NJ men recently pleaded guilty to having key roles in a gun trafficking ring that stretched from South Carolina to New Jersey.
According to federal prosecutors, the two suspects admitted to conspiring to deal firearms without a license.
The suspects, who are brothers, also reportedly pleaded guilty to certain persons offenses for being previously convicted felons in possession of a firearm.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that the suspects conspired with others to sell different firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and an assault rifle. The trafficking allegedly occurred between April 2013 and July 2014.
The suspects reportedly obtained the firearms from gun stores and pawn shops in South Carolina. The suspects then allegedly transported the weapons to New Jersey. Authorities believe that the suspects occasionally used Amtrak trains to move the weapons.
According to prosecutors, one of the suspects sold at least seven weapons; the other suspect is said to have sold at least 15 weapons.
Both men are due to return to U.S. District Court in Newark NJ in June for sentencing. The conspiracy to deal firearms charge carries a potential sentence of 5 years in federal prison, while the certain persons offense charge carries a potential sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Additionally, one of the suspects has a criminal record which includes prior convictions for resisting arrest and drug crimes. In fact, he is currently in New Jersey State Prison serving sentences for those charges. The previous convictions could influence sentencing on the current charges.
For more information about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Camden Brothers Admit Role in S.C.-to-N.J. Gun Trafficking Ring.”
