'Ghost Gun' Ring Sold Untraceable AR-15s in Camden County: Cops

What began as a drug investigation in Camden County has resulted in the takedown of a network that trafficked untraceable firearms, including six AR-15 assault rifles, authorities announced Monday morning.

A total of 12 people have been arrested in the scheme, in which 13 “ghost guns” were assembled using kits purchased online, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. Parts for two more AR-15 assault rifles were also seized, according to authorities.

Four men were charged with conspiring to sell the “ghost guns,” which authorities said are not registered and do not have serial numbers. This makes the guns difficult to trace and makes it harder for law enforcement to solve gun crimes, Grewal said.

The charges are the first filed under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in November that makes it a crime to buy, manufacture, possess or sell ghost guns in New Jersey, authorities said.

“Operation Stone Wall” began as an investigation into the sale of cocaine out of Lindenwold, but expanded detectives learned that “ghost guns” were also being trafficked as part of the conspiracy, according to authorities.

The investigation initially focused on a cocaine distribution ring being run by Lamont White, of Lindenwold. He was running the ring with his son, Tyriek Bradford, and their associate, John Rayford, all of Lindenwold, authorities said.

Detectives said they soon learned that Christopher Stoner, of Lindenwold, was selling cocaine to White. Authorities said he got the cocaine from Nicholas Cilien, Bryheem Belcher, Michael Smith, Fabian Sapp, Devon Davis, and Monroe Gadson.

Detectives said they soon learned that Stoner also illegally sold guns, including the “ghost guns.” Stoner worked with Cilien, Paul Corum and Marc Freeman to sell the firearms, authorities said.

Freeman and Corum purchased the kits for the guns online, and Freeman assembled them, authorities allege. They were then sold for prices ranging from $1,100 to $1,300 per gun, according to authorities.

During the investigation, detectives captured Freeman and Corum discussing the delay of a potential gun sale because the new law prevented guns from being shipped to New Jersey, according to authorities. Instead, the guns would be shipped to Pennsylvania.

On March 13, authorities said they intercepted parts for two more assault rifles allegedly ordered by Freeman and Corum for shipment to Bensalem, Pa.

In addition, authorities said they seized 525 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $18,500 to $37,000, and three bundles (30 doses) of heroin. The following people were charged in the takedown:

• Christopher Stoner, 41, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle (2nd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Assault Rifle (3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Possession of Firearm While Committing Drug Offense (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (1st degree); Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).
• Nicholas Cilien, 38, of Mt. Ephraim: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle (2nd degree); Possession of Firearm as Convicted Felon (2 counts, 2nd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Assault Rifle (3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (1st degree); Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree); Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute (3rddegree); Possession of Xanax with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree).
• Paul Corum, 43, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle (2nd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Assault Rifle (3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3rd degree).
• Lamont White, 43, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).
• Bryheem Belcher, 33, of Magnolia: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).
• Michael Smith, 48, of Woodbury Heights: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rddegree).
• Fabian Sapp, 45, of Sicklerville: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).
• Devon Davis, 31, of Chesilhurst: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).
• Monroe Gadson, 28, of Camden: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Firearm as Convicted Felon (2 counts, 2nd degree); Possession of Firearm While Committing Drug Offense (2nd degree); Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree); Possession of Marijuana (4th degree).
• Tyriek Bradford, 20, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree); Distribution of Heroin (3rd degree); Possession of Heroin (3rd degree).
• John Rayford, 41, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).
• Marc Freeman, 53, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle (2nd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Assault Rifle (3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Unlawful Manufacture, Transport, Shipment, Sale, Disposition of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3rd degree); Possession of a Weapon by Person Who Has Committed Domestic Violence Offense (3rd degree).

On the day the arrests began, detectives executed several search warrants:

• At Stoner’s home, they said they seized a handgun, a small amount of crack cocaine, a scale, drug packaging materials, and $1,738 in cash.
• At Cilien’s home, they said they seized a handgun, a shotgun, about 120 oxycodone and Xanax pills, drug packaging materials, and $2,095 in cash.
• At Gadson’s home in Camden, they said they seized two handguns, about 3.5 pounds of marijuana, drug packaging materials, and $18,420 in cash.
• At the home of Corum and Freeman, they said they seized tools used to assemble ghost guns, as well as a handgun and a shotgun, both belonging to Freeman.

Corum was ordered detained until trial at a detention hearing on Friday, March 15. Stoner, Cilien, Freeman and Gadson are being held in jail pending detention hearings.

Belcher, Smith, Sapp and Rayford were ordered released with conditions following detention hearings. White is incarcerated in Northern State Prison on a prior conviction.

Bradford was not arrested on March 8 and was sought as a fugitive until he was arrested on March 14. He is in jail pending a detention hearing.

Deputy Attorney General Cassandra Montalto is the lead prosecutor for Operation Stone Wall for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Erik Daab and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis. Detective Ryan Cunningham is the case agent for the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime South Unit, under the supervision of Detective Sgt. Dorothy Quinn, Detective Sgt. 1st Class Michael Davis, and Lt. Daniel Strassheim.

Grewal thanked the following agencies that assisted in the investigation and execution of warrants: NJSP TEAMS Unit South, NJSP Canine Unit South, FBI, Voorhees Township Police Department, Mt. Ephraim Police Department, Deptford Police Department, Gloucester Township Police Department, Lindenwold Police Department, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, and Camden County Sheriff’s Office.