ATF arrests five charged in gun running scheme from North Carolina to D.C.

RALEIGH​, N.C. - ATF Agents arrested five individuals following a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina returning indictments alleging their involvement in a firearms trafficking scheme: four arrested in Maryland, one in Raleigh, North Carolina. This enforcement action was conducted in collaboration with the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, a federal task force chaired by the Homeland Security Advisor, to curb violent crime, address narcotics and firearms offenses, enforce quality-of-life and transit rules, and support local and federal police agencies. The grand jury returned a 13-count indictment charging the defendants with offenses including conspiracy to traffic firearms, firearms trafficking, and making false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.

On Oct. 20, the Make DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force executed five federal arrest warrants related to a firearms trafficking conspiracy involving individuals who trafficked dozens of firearms from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., and the National Capital Region. The Task Force determined that co-conspirators supplied upwards of approximately 40 firearms to individuals across multiple states, including Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Saint Georges, Grenada.

"If you traffic firearms to violent criminals, gang members, or prohibited persons, ATF will find you and hold you accountable," said Director Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "Working with our partners on the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, we are dismantling trafficking networks and stopping the violence they fuel in our nation's capital. State lines will not protect you."

"These suspects created a network designed to put firearms in the hands of dangerous and prohibited individuals," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. "Shutting down these networks is a critical step in fighting gun violence and protecting our communities. I'm proud of the cooperation between federal agencies and the law enforcement partners determined to root out those who threaten our public safety."

"This operation exemplifies the commitment of our federal, state, and local partners working together under the Make DC Safe and Beautiful initiative," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Gun-running networks do not respect state lines, and neither does our determination to stop them. This joint effort shows how coordinated enforcement can protect both Washington, D.C. communities and the communities where these schemes originate."

The indictment charges the following individuals, including two defendants - Arnise Lecresha Young and Antonique Whitaker - who hold valid Special Police Officer licenses in the District of Columbia:

• Brian "B" Agee, 40, with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 933(a)(2) and (a)(3), six counts of firearms trafficking and aiding and abetting in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 933(a)(2) and 2, and six counts of aiding and abetting the making of a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(6), 924(a)(2), and 2.
• Arnise Lecresha Young, 33, with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 933(a)(2) and (a)(3), six counts of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 933(a)(2) and 2, and six counts of aiding and abetting the making of a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.
• Frank "Fatboy" Rayvone Harris, 38, with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 933(a)(2) and (a)(3).
• Antonique Whitaker, 34, with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 933(a)(2) and (a)(3), two counts of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 933(a)(2) and 2, and two counts of aiding and abetting the making of a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(6), 924(a)(2), and 2.
• Christian Shedetta Atkinson, 30, with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 933(a)(2) and (a)(3), and with one count of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(6) and 924(a)(2).

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to traffic firearms and firearms trafficking offenses, and 10 years in federal prison for offenses involving false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers. Any sentence would be determined by a federal district court judge after consideration of the applicable sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Pirro for the District of Columbia and U.S. Attorney Boyle for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. ​The ATF​ is investigating the case.

Press Conference on Federal Charges Stemming from a Joint Firearms-Trafficking Enforcement Operation (Video)

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ATF protects American communities from violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives, and acts of arson. Through crime gun intelligence, forensic analysis, and relentless investigation, we identify and arrest violent offenders and gang members, dismantle trafficking networks, and sever the supply chains arming cartels, prohibited persons, and terrorist organizations. We defend the rights of law-abiding citizens by safeguarding lawful commerce and upholding the Constitution of the United States. Learn more about what ATF is doing to reduce violent crime in your community by following us on X @ATFHQ, Instagram @ATFHQ, LinkedIn @ATF, and Facebook @HQATF, or on the web at www.atf.gov .