Illegal Gun Dealing Lands Delco Man In Prison

A 23-year-old Delaware County man will see at least five years of prison time for buying guns and then giving them to a convicted felon 2017, according to Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland.

Rashan Lemar DeJarnette, 23, of Chester, was sentenced five to 10 years in state prison followed by four years of consecutive probation for the straw purchase of two firearms under the Brad Fox Law, the DA's office said.

DeJarnette was found guilty in June after a two-day jury trial before Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge John P. Capuzzi, Sr., of the illegal transfer and straw purchase of two firearms that he bought at a gun show on behalf of a convicted felon.

He was arrested in September 2017 as the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division (CID), the Office of Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Deputy District Attorney George B. Dawson, Chief of the District Attorney’s Anti-Violence Task Force, prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

On June 6, 2017, CID Detective David Tyler and CID Detective Sergeant William Gordon met with Officer Martin Dietz of the Office of Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force in reference to a straw purchase and illegal transfer of a gun that occurred in May.

Following an investigation, it was determined that DeJarnette filled out paperwork and purchased two firearms for a convicted felon in exchange for money.

During a gun show held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, DeJarnette along with three other males were observed handling and examining different guns.

As the group browsed the guns, one of the males appeared to be in charge of selecting firearms for further examination. While at a vendor table, this same male, a convicted felon, was observed picking out two guns and showing them to DeJarnette.

Later, this male was observed handling DeJarnette money which was payment for the guns.

On May 4, investigators interviewed DeJarnette in reference to the two guns.

During the interview, DeJarnette admitted he knew purchasing the firearms for someone else is illegal.

DeJarnette admitted that he reported the guns as stolen to the Chester Police Department because he was scared law enforcement was looking for him.

"In law enforcement, we know that many of the illegal guns used in the streets for violence and crime are a result of straw purchases. Those who illegally transfer guns in Delaware County should be forewarned that if convicted, they face up to ten years in prison under the Brad Fox Law," Copeland said. "In the case of Rashan DeJarnette, he went to a gun show with the intent to illegally purchase guns for someone who he knew had a criminal history, showing a complete disregard for the law and the safety of his community. I would like to commend Detective David Tyler for leading the investigation with Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Gun Task Force and the ATF in locating the defendant and making the arrest and Deputy District Attorney George B. Dawson who brought this case to justice."

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office