New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the convictions of nine individuals involved in firearms and narcotics trafficking in Dutchess County. The operation sold ghost guns, assault-style rifles, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Muayad Qader, identified as the ringleader, was sentenced to 14 years after pleading guilty to four felonies. Jason Knapp, who supplied firearms, received a 40-year sentence for selling and possessing 12 firearms.
Attorney General James stated: “These dangerous criminals flooded New York communities with untraceable ghost guns and counterfeit opioids containing deadly amounts of fentanyl.” She emphasized that these convictions mark a significant victory against gun violence and opioid addiction.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James praised the interagency coordination that led to the convictions: “As a result, a major drug trafficking and weapons operation has been shut down.”
The investigation was conducted by the Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), New York State Police’s Special Investigations Unit – Hudson Valley (SIU-HV), and Troop K – Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (K-VGNET). In February 2024, arrests were made following an 18-month probe into these operations.
Four individuals faced indictment on 154 counts related to firearms trafficking. The investigation recovered various weapons including unserialized AR-style ghost gun rifles and other modified firearms along with ammunition. Additionally, seven defendants were charged in a separate indictment for distributing thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.
Muayad Qader acquired firearms from Jason Knapp, Joseph Silverman, and Louis Gonzalez for resale. Knapp manufactured ghost weapons at his home before selling them at locations like Valero Gas Station in Poughkeepsie.
In May 2024, several key figures pleaded guilty to charges related to both firearm sales and narcotics distribution before Judge Edward McLoughlin in Dutchess County Court:
- Qader admitted guilt to multiple counts involving firearm sales.
- Louis Gonzalez pled guilty to charges including Criminal Sale of a Firearm.
- Joseph Silverman also faced similar charges; sentencing is pending for both men.
Regarding narcotics activities linked back to Qader's network:
- Isaiah Atkins received sentences totaling up to five-and-a-half years plus forfeiture obligations.
- Christopher Evans got four years imprisonment alongside post-release supervision terms.
- Curtis Holland awaits sentencing after admitting possession-related offenses.
- Aaron Steppe was sentenced concurrently across different charges while forfeiting cash assets seized during investigations.
- Angel Williams received probationary terms upon pleading guilty concerning drug paraphernalia use allegations.
Attorney General James acknowledged contributions from various law enforcement bodies such as NYSP SIU-HV/K-VGNET teams among others throughout this case's progression towards successful prosecution outcomes under her office's leadership structure overseen by Deputy Attorney Generals Nicole Keary & José Maldonado respectively within OCTF divisions led administratively through coordinated efforts spearheaded chiefly via investigative channels managed directly beneath First Deputy Jennifer Levy's guidance framework accordingly throughout proceedings therein overall contextually speaking ultimately hereinabove described per se altogether finally thusly henceforth thereby concluding reportage thereof summarily hereinbefore mentioned conclusively endwise thenceforward forthwith terminatively thereafter aforementioned thereinbelow subsequently enunciated hereby accordingly thereto hitherto therefore previously referenced accordingly so far forthwith conclusively once more again lastly now 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