2 Arrested, 1 Wanted For Illegally Selling 40 Firearms: Montco DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — Two people have been arrested and a third is wanted after authorities said the group illegally sold 40 firearms across the greater Philadelphia area, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Aja Morris, 27, and Antwoin Lofton, 25, both of Philadelphia, were booked on numerous charges. Kenneth Lyles, 30, who was last known to live at a North Warnock Street home in Philadelphia, is still wanted.

A police investigation into a narcotics case recovered an illegally owned firearm that was traced back to Lyles, the DA said. When they dug deeper into Lyles, they found that he had purchased 20 guns in a very short time, from Aug. 10, 2020 to Jan. 8, 2021, the DA said.

“Gun trafficking and straw purchasing of firearms puts guns in the hands of criminals, arming people who are not legally allowed to possess a firearm,” DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. "This is dangerous and a threat to public safety."

"Straw" purchases are when a third party buyer purchases a weapon for someone who cannot legally own one, such as a felon, a mentally ill person, or a child.

Morris, Lyle's former girlfriend, and Lofton assisted in additional purchases and sales, police said.

Of the 40 weapons the trio illegally sold, a total of 11 have been recovered thus far. The others remain out in the world. Ten of them were found in Philadelphia, and one in Delaware.

Lyles is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and about 160 pounds. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous. Call 911 immediately if you see him.

All three face charges of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, making materially false statements, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, and related counts. Bail was set at $100,000 for Morris, who posted bail and $75,000 for Lofton, who did not. Lofton was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Preliminary hearings are set for both on June 29.