Montco Gun-Buying Scheme: NJ Man Convicted On 34 Counts, Records Show

NORRISTOWN, PA — A New Jersey man has been convicted in an illegal gun-buying scheme at a Montgomery County store, court records show.

On August 29, a county jury convicted Edward E. Ratliff of 34 felony firearm possession and conspiracy charges. Ratliff, 51, is a resident of New Brunswick, N.J.

A co-defendant in the case, Diarmani K. Deveaux of Collingdale in Delaware County, pleaded guilty previously to dozens of related charges. Both are in the Montgomery County Jail, awaiting sentencing hearings later this year.

Authorities said in 2021, Deveaux bought eight firearms at a West Norriton store for Ratliff, whose criminal history barred him from buying a gun.

County detectives began investigating last year after they saw Deveraux had purchased four guns at Treeline Sports Inc. on two separate dates, the Pottstown Mercury reported.

Store surveillance footage shows Ratliff pointing out guns to Deveaux and examining them last February, that report said. Authorities alleged Deveaux gave those guns to Ratliff, but said he was the owner on the papers he filled out when he bought them, the Mercury reported.

The jury found Ratliff guilty of charges including conspiracy, prohibited possession of a firearm, firearm sales to an ineligible transferee, and making a materially false written statement, court records show.

More than 50 of the charges against him were withdrawn, court records show.

Deveaux pleaded guilty to 80 similar charges, according to records.

More information is available in the Pottstown Mercury.