12 Arrested In Major Pittsburgh-Area Illegal Gun Sweep

PITTSBURGH, PA — A dozen Pittsburgh residents were arrested and charged with offenses related to illegal gun purchases, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Thursday.

One of those arrested, Kyree McCray, 19, also was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.

The dozen people were taken into custody as part of a probe by the Allegheny County Gun Violence Task Force and other law enforcement agencies into straw purchases and other illegal transactions of firearms.

“Guns obtained in this way so often end up at violent crime scenes and in the hands of people who are prohibited from legal possession,” Sunday said. “I commend all of the partners for meticulous investigations — that are still ongoing — to trace these firearms and identify people involved in their illegal distribution.”

Robert Crowley, a close acquaintance of McCray, also wasc harged with felony carrying a firearm without a license, and related offenses for illegal transfer of another firearm.

McCray and Crowley were denied bail at recent arraignments, each cited by the magisterial district judge as a “danger to the community.” So was Makai Kenny, who is charged with illegal transfers of at least six firearms he purchased, but were recovered by police at crime scenes or in someone else’s possession.

Nine other defendants are charged with illegal possession or transfer of firearms, conspiracy, or related offenses.

Charged in addition to McCray, Crowley, and Kenney are:

• Davar Reid, 22, of Turtle Creek
• Sharon Gore, 42, (Reid’s mother-in-law), Turtle Creek
• Carley Chedwick, 25, West Mifflin
• Aaron B. Ridgely, 28, Homestead
• Shelly Bonacci, 39, Duquesne
• Shawn M. Mason, 32, Penn Hills
• Joni Atkinson, 32, Pittsburgh
• Lavandra Carpenter, 29, Pittsburgh
• Ethan Drolz, 23, Verona

The cases will be prosecuted by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.