Montco Man, Member Of Major Gun Trafficking Ring, Sentenced To Prison

CHELTENHAM, PA — A Montgomery County man arrested as a teenager as part of a major firearms trafficking network bust back in 2020 has been sentenced to prison.

Mikal Scott, 21, of Cheltenham, will spend the next three to six years behind bars, according to court documents.

Scott was one of 14 individuals taken into custody in the bust, which targeted an organization that illegally purchased dozens of firearms throughout the greater Philadelphia area before reselling them on the streets.

All told, the group sold 44 firearms around Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, officials said. The sales mainly took place over the summer of 2020, from July 3 to Aug. 27, investigators allege. Such "straw purchases" are often made by individuals unable to legally purchase firearms, including convicted felons, domestic violence abusers, juveniles, and the mentally ill, officials said.

Officials pointed to the importance of the Electronic Record of Sale system in tracking the suspects and making the arrests. The case drew attention from state leaders who praised the work of law enforcement.

Scott was convicted on charges of conspiracy, making false statements, and corrupt organizations.

Cases against other members of the gang remain underways.