Defendants Allegedly Distributed an “Assault Rifle”[really just an AR15], High-Caliber Handguns.
Eastern District of New York – -(AmmoLand.com)- An indictment was unsealed recently in federal court in Central Islip charging Derrick Hughes and Ronald Robinson with a gun trafficking conspiracy involving the sale of at least 19 firearms, including an AR-15 multi-caliber rifle. The defendants were arrested Thursday, September 6, 2018. Hughes was arraigned this afternoon in federal court in Central Islip before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson. Robinson was arraigned this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Norfolk, Virginia. Both defendants were ordered detained pending bail hearings.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the indictment.
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants’ illegal trafficking of firearms brought deadly weapons to the streets of Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “These arrests demonstrate the commitment by this Office and our law enforcement partners to save lives by stopping the flow of illegal firearms into New York.” Mr. Donoghue thanked the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police and the Hempstead Police Department for their assistance during this investigation.
“Many gangs rely on illegal weapons to carry out criminal acts because they’re harder to trace,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “The two subjects in this investigation were allegedly trafficking illegal weapons along the 95 interstate corridor that leads directly onto Long Island. We are doing more and more every day with our law enforcement partner agencies to stop this pipeline, and keep deadly weapons out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.”
“The defendants as alleged were part of a scheme that put illegal firearms onto the streets of their community,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Benedict. “ATF works with our federal, state and local counterparts to disrupt the flow of guns to our streets and prevent violent crime. I would like to thank all of our partners that made this case possible. I would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the case.”
“The indictments of both defendants Hughes and Robinson for illegal firearms trafficking conspiracy is a clear example of the high level of interagency cooperation during this investigation,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “Not only are we taking criminals off the streets, we are also decreasing the amount of illegal firearms that enter our state and county. Every illegal firearm that we confiscate is another positive step on how we protect our residents and Police Officers. I would like to congratulate all of the investigative agencies and their dedicated members who played a role in this case.”
According to the indictment, the gun-trafficking operation involved at least seven illegal firearms transactions on Long Island between January 2018 and April 2018, with transactions taking place in Rosedale and Valley Stream. Robinson allegedly purchased two to three firearms at a time in Virginia, and within days, transported them for distribution in New York. Hughes arranged meetings with customers for the illegal sale of the firearms.
If convicted, Hughes and Robinson face a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Monica K. Castro is in charge of the prosecution.
As a retired Federal LEO I can safely say that the DOJ is totally eaten up with diversity hires and promotions. It was a sad thing to see; but, as someone once said, “Elections have consequences.” This all started with the “Equal Employment Opportunity Act.”
I found it interesting that “illegal weapons” changed mid-article to “illegal firearms.”
I agree with you, Roy. This article stinks of the left’s bias. There’s just too much we don’t know about these guys. Maybe they are bad actors, maybe they aren’t but the article focuses 90% on the :illegal” firearms. What the hell is a multi-caliber gun anyway? I think, for what it’s worth, the DOJ is doing a ton of illegal stuff and I really don’t know if these two guys are guilty of anything. Does anybody know about, “shall not be infringed?”
What is a multi caliber rifle? Never had one of those.
it’s a lower capable using a number of barreled uppers .
I am totally shocked! new york LEOS arresting someone on gun law violations!!! 2 years you say? They will be released on time served. Unless the dems use it as a campaign ploy. ( PLOY = a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent or a devised or contrived move).
Hummmm…..is it just me or does he look like part of the Eric holder & obummer gun running team of Fast & Furious…..Just say’in if they had brothers they’d look like him.
No word on HOW these guns were purchased downstream.. from FFL? THen the guns themselves were not “illegal”. How’s aobut if New York State did not have the draconian laws preventing most folk from buying guns for any use perhaps the “need” would not be enouth to prompt one to launch such a business. Wasn’t it New York where that big guy was busted for selling “loosies” (cigarattes sold singly on the street because the price of a pack with tax is so ridiculously high poor folks can’t afford a pack) then ended up getting roughted up and died in… Read more »
There’s a mighty big difference, for the benefit of the anti-gun drones, between these thugs and their purposes, and us, law-abiding and respectful citizen gun owners. These pukes undoubtedly intend the weapons to be in the hands of fellow criminals for nefarious reasons, to do harm to others; we intend to own similar weapons for a number of reasons, NONE of them criminal. Our purposes include the enjoyment of shooting, for some, hunting, and for most, the entire reason for the existence of the Second Amendment, including being able to defend ourselves, our homes, families and friends, and our businesses,… Read more »
5 years? Bull Sh*t! Federal law says 5 years for each count. Thats 5 years x 19. Or 95 years. Fat chance! These two mutts will be out in 2.
I thought every violation of 27cfr, which includes 4473’s (if they bought them from a dealer) was a $10,000 fine AND/OR a ten year prison sentence? Updated by me: They’re prosecuting, IMO, under the wrong code. They should prosecute under 18 USC 922: “2) any firearm to any person in any State where the purchase or possession by such person of such firearm would be in violation of any State law or any published ordinance applicable at the place of sale, delivery or other disposition, unless the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the purchase or possession… Read more »
Where does it say these guys were selling guns for gangs or that they were purchased illegally? The guys are INNOCENT until proven guilty in a court of law. NOT a kangaroo court stuffed with leftists either. A fair and impartial jury of their peers. DO the words’…Shall not be infringed” mean anything to anyone? There is just too much we don’t know about this case to rush to any kind of judgement. The left liker it that way!
Many gangs rely on illegal weapons to carry out criminal acts because they’re harder to trace,,,,,,,,say what????
Do gangs care if their guns can be traced? I thought they bought them illegally cuz they usually have rap sheets and can’t buy them legally. Sounds like the spokesperson is regurgitating talking points to promote stupid gun marker policies.
Rahm Emanuel, another piece of hoodrat shit, probably taught them how to do it….
@Harry: You got it right Harry. This guy will probably get no time or probation. We wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings. The “Keystone Cops” were just lucky.
So it took four local agencies, the FBI, ATF, and maybe a couple I missed, to stop the traffic of approximately 19 firearms and catch two alleged defendants who will serve perhaps 5 years if convicted. I’m going to guess that amounts to lot’s of money spent on this enterprise. It would have been much more effective to simply buy these 19 guns than expend the law enforcement efforts to catch the traffickers. The agencies sound like they think they have done some great thing. There is a saying in LE that if the perps wern’t stupid, we’d never catch… Read more »
@Harry: You got it right Harry. This guy will probably get no time or probation. We wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings. The “Keystone Cops” were just lucky.
5 years? Bull Sh*t! Federal law says 5 years for each count. Thats 5 years x 19. Or 95 years. Fat chance! These two mutts will be out in 2.