2 'Bloods' Gang Members Sentenced for Illegal Gun Trafficking

Two gang members, who used Metro North to run illegal guns, some of which were purchased in Port Chester, were sentenced Wednesday to prison terms.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that William Soler will serve 15 years and Erick Ransom will serve three to six years for conspiracy to murder.

Schneiderman said the men are members of the violent “Bloods” street gang, and the investigation’s name—Operation Redrum—was based on the nickname of William “Redrum” Soler.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of 93 illegal guns, which were purchased on New York City streets, as well as Port Chester and Stamford, CT.

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The illegal guns were transported to the city on Metro North trains and were resold in New York City for several times their original price.

“These individuals were members of a dangerous gun trafficking ring that used Metro North trains as a method to bring guns into our communities and fuel the epidemic of gun violence,” Schneiderman said. "Today’s guilty pleas send a clear message: if you bring deadly illegal weapons New York, we will catch you and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit, began in June 2014. The plea follows previous top count convictions of co-conspirators Cadeim Beckford, who was sentenced to eight years in prison on November 24, 2015, Devon Fairburn, who was sentenced on October 29, 2015, to six years in prison and Terrence Gordon, who was sentenced to five years in prison. Ronald Snyder has also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced to eight years in prison.