3 Men Impersonate Active Duty Soldier, Illegally Buy Firearms: Montco DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — Three local men used a driver's license they stole from an active duty soldier to illegally buy 14 firearms, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

Taalibudeen “Taalib” Ibn Hasdn Anderson, 22, of Philadelphia, Tariq Anderson, 23, also of Philadelphia, and Daijon Griffin, 21, of Wilmington, Delaware, face numerous identity theft and gun trafficking charges.

“Gun trafficking defeats a key tool to prevent serious crime and puts our communities, and
the people who live there, at risk," Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement. "Not only did the defendants alleged crimes endanger the physical safety of Pennsylvanians, but they exploited the identity of a soldier serving our country."

A multi-jurisdiction investigation involving county and state investigators began when police noted numerous suspicious gun sales between June 17 and July 6.

The suspected "straw" purchases — gun buys made by on behalf of someone who isn't legally allowed to own a firearm like a convicted felon or child — were made using the identity of an activity duty soldier, Shaheim Dontez Mitchell. Mitchell, who is stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap out in Dauphin County, lost his wallet containing his driver's license and military identification while he was visiting his mother in Philadelphia in April.

Mitchell's mother lives near the Andersons who found his ID on the street, police said.

Taalib Anderson identified himself as Mitchell online when he ordered the firearms through Whittaker Guns, according to the DA's office. The weapons were then shipped to TriTac Firearms in Wyndmoor, where the suspects picked them up.

Both Andersons were not legally allowed to own a firearm.

After the first successful purchase, the trio bought another round of 14 weapons from Whittaker and had them delivered to TriTac on July 12, police said. By now police were on to the group, and they delayed the purchase by requiring a background check. The Andersons left in a Lyft vehicle, which was pulled over by officers nearby who recovered Mitchell's identificaiton card, the DA said.

Taalib Anderson was arrested by Montgomery County police during the stop, and Tariq Anderson fled on foot before being caught shortly thereafter.

Griffin was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force in Wilmington.

Three of the 14 firearms bought by Taalib Anderson were sold illegally on the streets and recovered by Philadelphia police, the DA's Office said. One of the guns was found when police searched a car involved in a recent shooting, while another belonged to a drug trafficker.

The Montgomery County Detective Bureau, Springfield Township Police, Cheltenham Township Police, Philadelphia Police SWAT, and the Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force worked together on the investigation.

The three men face nearly 500 counts of felonies ranging from corrupt organization, conspiracy, and firearms charges to identity theft, forgery, dealing in the proceeds of illegal activities, and more.

Both Andersons failed to post $500,000 bail and were booked at the the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Griffin is in the process of being extradited back to Montgomery County.

A preliminary hearing for the Andersons is set for Aug. 29.