Two Admit to Roles in South Jersey Gun Trafficking

A South Jersey man and a South Carolina woman confessed to their roles in a conspiracy to sell 25 guns without a license, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Shawn Tribbett, 32, of Camden, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to deal firearms without a license, two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Katelynn Schippnick, 25, of Greeley, South Carolina, pleaded guilty to a separate information charging her with one count of conspiring to deal firearms without a license.

They were among five Camden County men and a woman from South Carolina who had been charged with federal firearms violations last summer.

Marcus Rutling, a/k/a “Fresh,” 33, of Camden, and Saluda, South Carolina, and his brother, Joseph Rutling, 24, of Camden, previously pleaded guilty to charges in the case.

Charges are still pending against Anthony Gilmore, 24, of Lawnside and Lewis DiMatessa, 37, of Clementon, who is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Tribbett and Schippnick admitted that between April 8, 2013, and July 2014, the group conspired to illegally sell firearms without a license, including handguns, shotguns and an assault rifle.

They obtained the firearms from pawn shops, gun stores and other sources in South Carolina and brought them to New Jersey, at times using Amtrak trains to transport the guns, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

Tribbett personally sold or participated in the sale of at least six firearms, including handguns, shotguns and an assault-style rifle, to a witness cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Schippnick assisted in the sale of at least five firearms, including handguns and a shotgun, also to an ATF cooperating witness.

On at least one occasion, Tribbett and sold ammunition with the firearms. In addition to the firearms conspiracy, Tribbett admitted that on several occasions he sold cocaine and oxycodone pills to a witness cooperating with the ATF.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon charges to which Tribbett pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The distribution of cocaine charge 2 carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for July 23.