New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the convictions and sentencing of four individuals involved in illegal gun trafficking in Central New York. The investigation, led by the Office of the Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), resulted in the recovery of 34 firearms and receivers, including 21 ghost guns or parts used to make ghost guns, numerous high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The defendants were charged with 35 crimes across two indictments in April 2024 and have all pleaded guilty to felony possession of firearms, receiving prison sentences.
"Gun traffickers who flood our communities with illegal untraceable ghost guns put all New Yorkers in danger," stated Attorney General James. "This investigation took dozens of weapons off of our streets and brought dangerous gun traffickers to justice."
The joint investigation involved collaboration between OCTF and various law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit and Special Investigations Unit. New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James highlighted the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation: "This case is a testament to the results we can achieve when agencies work together to combat the flow of illegal weapons."
The operation targeted two sources of illegal firearm trafficking in Syracuse beginning in June 2022. Among those convicted were Brian Lawson, also known as "P'Nut," Jeremy Baker, also known as "Rico," and Charles Baker. They pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Judge Matthew J. Doran at Onondaga County Court. Sentences included six years for both Bakers with post-release supervision and three-and-a-half years for Lawson.
John Leone Jr., charged separately for firearm possession and sale, also pleaded guilty before Judge Doran and received a sentence ranging from two-and-a-half to five years.
During the investigation, authorities seized several types of firearms and components such as unfinished frames/receivers used for ghost guns, unserialized pistols, AR-15 style rifles, an assault rifle, extended magazines classified as high-capacity devices, among others.
This case underscores Attorney General James' commitment to combating gun violence through the prosecution of unregistered firearm sales.