Harlem Gun Traffickers Sentenced to State Prison

HARLEM, NY — Two men who previously pleaded guilty to selling an undercover cop guns in Harlem were sentenced to state prison Wednesday.

Samuel Barreto and Carl Smalls sold 74 firearms and ammunition to an undercover police officer from January 2014 to August 2015, according to an announcement from the District Attorney's Office. The sales were mostly conducted in residential areas of Harlem and East Harlem. Seven of 45 sales occurred in the Bronx, officials said. The gun smugglers earned $52,000 for the weapons and ammo, officials said.

Barreto was sentenced to 17 years in state prison while Smalls is facing 15 years.

Other members of the crew — Michael Akpan, Michael Rivera, Trayvon Smith and Keith Hughes — have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the gun sales.

"This ring is responsible for pumping dozens of deadly, illegal firearms into our City, and its members will serve appropriately lengthy prison terms," District Attorney Cyrus Vance said. "With our partners in the NYPD, my Office is doing everything it can to keep illegal firearms out of our communities. From prosecutions like these, to gun buybacks, to educational and preventative efforts like our End Gun Violence Initiative, we are taking a comprehensive approach to combating gun violence in our own backyard."

Both Barreto and Smalls pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a firearm in the first degree and conspiracy in the fourth degree. Barreto copped to an additional charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.