Student gun sales armed N.J. gang, authorities say

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Fri, Dec. 12 | Troy Graham

[Fzob]

Student gun sales armed N.J. gang, authorities say
An indictment alleges collegians were used to funnel dozens of weapons from an Ohio store to Newark.
By Troy Graham
Inquirer Staff Writer
 

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey have indicted the owner of an Ohio gun store and three members of a violent Newark street gang in the first gun-trafficking case of its kind.

The merchant sold guns to intermediaries, all of them students or former students at Wilberforce University, a small private school in Ohio. The students then funneled the guns to the Double ii Bloods street gang, authorities said.

The case, which will be heard in New Jersey, is the first time that federal prosecutors in one district have charged a licensed gun dealer from another state in a gun-running conspiracy. The indictments were returned Friday and unsealed yesterday.

"We intend to sit this Ohio gun dealer in front of a jury at the same defense table as the leader of one of New Jersey's most violent gangs," said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie of Newark. "Enough is enough. This is our warning shot to gun dealers in other states."

Prosecutors said 76 guns that James Dillard, 61, sold from his Hole in the Wall Gun Shop in Xenia went to the Newark gang. Although he did not know who would eventually own the guns, he knew the buyers were "straw purchasers" for people prohibited from buying firearms, prosecutors said.

Dillard was indicted on conspiracy charges along with the leader of the Double ii Bloods, Quadree "Trouble" Smith, 23, who is serving a 16-year state sentence for killing a rival drug dealer; Michael "Fat Mike" Harris, 22; and Daniel Alvarez, 24.

Dillard also was charged with aiding and abetting. In Ohio, he faces charges that he knowingly sold guns to out-of-state residents, a crime for a federally licensed gun dealer in that state.

According to the indictment, 20 guns recovered in New Jersey crimes were traced to Dillard's store. One had been used recently in a gang-related shooting in East Orange, N.J., authorities said.

In congressional testimony this year, Christie said the Double ii Bloods "operate like big businesses," with a hierarchy that includes generals, lieutenants, ministers of defense and information, and foot soldiers known as "little homeys."

New Jersey gang members often seek firearms from states with looser gun rules, said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark. Ohio, for example, does not limit the number of guns a person can buy in one day.

"This is a very severe problem for New Jersey," Drewniak said. "And you'll notice they're smart enough to realize they can't put their own names on a piece of paper. That's why they use intermediaries."

Twelve current and former students of Wilberforce, a school of 1,200 students near Xenia that is believed to be the nation's oldest private historically black college, have been charged in Ohio with violating federal gun laws. Four have pleaded guilty. None of the students have been charged in New Jersey.

Marshall Mitchell, Wilberforce vice president, said that the university was cooperating with the investigation, and that officials there did not yet know the names of the charged students.

"We have to let the dust settle at least for today and get those names," he said. "Obviously, there will be a full review as to their continuation at Wilberforce."

The students helped move 200 guns from Dillard's store, including the 76 that went to New Jersey, authorities said.

Dillard was accused of making three large sales to straw buyers this year - 25 guns on April 17 and 16 guns and 15 guns to separate buyers on April 22, authorities said.

Dillard, who was recently hospitalized, is scheduled to appear Tuesday before a federal magistrate in Dayton, Ohio, officials said. No one answered at his home, and the phone at the gun store has been disconnected. His attorney did not return a call seeking comment.

No date has been set for his appearance in federal court in New Jersey.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft hailed the indictments at a news conference yesterday. In a statement, he said they were "highlighting the successes the Department of Justice is having in combating the threat of gun crime."

[marktwain]

It seems to me that he should be tried in Ohio. That is where the crime occurred. Trying him in New Jersey is exactly the type of thing the Bill of Rights was written to prevent.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed:

[Fzob]

Excellent point

[misterrob]

A few points....

Can the prosecution prove that he knowingly sold guns to straw men? Risky situation here.

secondly. why would this not be a federal case if he conspired in interstate gun trafficking?

If he's dirty then let's all hope he gets nailed. People like him make legal gun sellers and owners a bad name.

[tahiti]

...exactly the type of thing the Bill of Rights was written to prevent."

Amendment II

"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

It doesn't say some of the people can keep and bear arms. Or only the people we the government say can keep and bear arms.

All federal gun laws are unconstitutional.

[Dr Warmoose]

Trying him in New Jersey is exactly the type of thing the Bill of Rights was written to prevent.
Amendment VI

Yes, that may be true; but we are a nation under King George "FDR" Bush, who had so little respect for the Constitution that he gave us the "Patriot Act" and signed the McCain/Feingold "Anti First Amendment Act".

And tell me, with today's courts, what use does the USC have outside of their restroom?

Rather, the new law of the jungle is what we are held to. Muslims have a "right" to demand anything they want to appease their eclectic religious beliefs while Christians are losing any right to simply assemble. The Constitution has found a right for Sodomite to marry. And the US courts have found rights for illegal aliens to collect Social Security (apparently free healthcare, education, housing driving,voting privledges and other assistance is not enough) and to have a SSI office in downtown Mexico City.

The courts have found that Lethal Injection for serial killers and other violators of capital crimes is considered "Cruel and Unusual" though hangings, electric chairs, gassings and firing squads through the ages were not. So it doesn't surprise me in the least that these scum bags under this administration have found a way to scratch this right out of the constitution.

I am waiting to see how they urinate on the Third Amendment. (I am sure it won't be too long)

Alice went through the looking glass and now is in the House.

[Dr Warmoose]

I am waiting to see how they urinate on the Third Amendment. (I am sure it won't be too long)

I suddenly recalled how the Clinton Administration dishonored this amendment during their siege and persecution of Women & Children of faith outside of Waco, TX. During the ordeal (several weeks), the Fe'ral Government sent soldiers to the surrounding houses, kicking the owner/occupants out and converting their homes into sniper's nests. I remember the comment of one homeowner, who after a while was permitted by the Fe'ral Government to return to their own home discovered hidden in corners and under the refrigerator several used brass casings left behind. Nothing like invading a private residence and using the kitchen table as a bench rest to better sight in helpless burning women and children targeted for death.(without trial, of course)

[camas]

i don't have much of a problem with the patriot act.
say that you find out the name of one "bad guy" and go see him and start asking queations he will, the chance he gets, call all
of the other "bad guys" and they will go under ground.

now if you can sneak into his place and find the names of the other "bad guys" without the first "bad guy" finding out. now you have a chance to round them all up and maybe stop another 9/11.

seeing what books people read. books are made up of words and numbers. messages are made up of words. you can make up message telling the "bad guys" where and when to attack by just using numbers. this message/numbers cold be sent via email or a web site. no one could read it unless they knew what book to use. simple but effective code.

[Indrid Cold]

"Can the prosecution prove that he knowingly sold guns to straw men? Risky situation here."

I don't know if they can prove it in court, but the guy sure should've known something was up. Imagine being a car dealer and selling 25 cars to the same individual. Is he gonna drive 'em all?

Just selling 2 handguns to one person requires additional ATF(E) paperwork, faxed in by the end of the day. Funny they didn't tip to it sooner.

[Coleus]

All federal gun laws are unconstitutional>>

I agree but how do you fight gang violence and all the crimes assoicated with it. Let's face it, people like these do not need more guns, they are ruthless and will think of nothing of shooting you, a store owner or each other.

[Coleus]

Black College, gun-running ping

[SauronOfMordor]

I agree but how do you fight gang violence and all the crimes assoicated with it. Let's face it, people like these do not need more guns, they are ruthless and will think of nothing of shooting you, a store owner or each other.

If a person is too dangerous to be allowed to own a gun, then he is too dangerous to be allowed to walk around free on the street

The assumption of the liberal Establishment is that if we put in enough rules and regulations, that the gang-bangers will suddenly decide to go back to school and get trained in auto-repair or some such.

Lets get real here: drug dealers will always get guns. If all else fails, they'll smuggle them into the country disguised as a routine cocaine shipment

[Coleus]

`

[txzman]

If they are guilty, these 'students' are gonna find out what happens when the government makes an example of you over a felony. Not pretty.

[tahiti]

"I agree but how do you fight gang violence and all the crimes assoicated with it?"

1--take the big money out being in a gang. Repeal all of the laws that create black markets for goods and services.

2--repeal all unconstitutional laws prohibiting citizens from bearing arms in public.