Major Gun Trafficking Ring Busted In Southeastern PA: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — A large gun trafficking ring that illegally bought and sold weapons throughout southeastern Pennsylvania has been busted, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Monday. The DA called the activity "straw" purchases, which is 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.

Tyrone Dansby, 24, of Philadelphia, was charged with running the organization. An 18-year-old, from Philadelphia, was arrested on juvenile charges, while 22-year-old Quamir Terry-Johnson, also of Philadelphia, purchased two of the weapons, police said.

All told, 69 weapons were sold across Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks and Lehigh counties over a period of six months, from March 8, 2020 through Sept. 29, 2020, officials said. Some of these were done in sprees, including one day in June 2020 in which Dansby bought 28 hnadguns at nine different stores, police said.

“This type of organization’s sole purpose is to make money by putting firearms in the hands of criminals who cannot lawfully buy and possess guns," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. "Illegal firearms on our streets are a significant threat to public safety and should concern every law-abiding citizen."

After buying the firearms, Dansby obliterated the serial numbers in an effort to make the weapons untraceable, according to the DA. He then used his Instagram account and ohter social media channels to make the sales.

Of the 69 firearms purchased, 33 were bought in Bucks County, 17 in Philadelphia, 16 in Montgomery County,and three in Lehigh County.

Jurisdictions from around the country helped in the investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as the weapons traveled far, according to police.

Although the new charges were announced Monday, ansby was arrested back on May 21 for lying about other firearms purchases. He has been booked in a federal detention facility since then. He's been charged with corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, corruption of minors, and related counts.

The 18-year-old currently faces juvenile charges but prosecutors are seeking to upgrade the charges to the Court of Common Pleas.

Terry-Johnson was charged with unlawful sale and transfer of a firearm and related counts. He was arrested in Delaware in connection with a separate case, and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.