Georgia ‘gun pipeline’ that ‘flooded’ NYC with illegal firearms shutdown, nine indicted, feds say

A gun pipeline where traffickers flooded New York City with firearms purchased in Georgia has been shut down and nine people are facing federal charges in connection with reselling the guns, some of which appeared in music videos and were used to shoot at police officers, authorities said Wednesday. 

Those arrested include James Thomas, Duvaughn Wilson, Courtney Schloss, Ken Alexander, Argam Taj and Jamel Thomas, the Justice Department said. Three other suspects –  Samuel Taj, Christopher Machado and Harlie Ramos -- are still being sought. 

"These arrests should ... send a message to anyone who is thinking about illegally selling guns to New Yorkers or illegally bringing guns to New York: We and our law enforcement partners are watching. And we will prosecute gun traffickers to the fullest extent of the law," said U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss.

The Justice Department alleges Wilson was used as a straw buyer to purchase guns from at least August 2020 to April. Straw buyers are often used to circumvent legal restrictions, such as laws that prohibit those with criminal records from obtaining weapons.