Two Lehigh County men are behind bars after allegedly funneling 29 firearms through illegal straw purchases tied to drug debt. James Gleason, 38, and Reynold Lewis, 37, were arrested this week following a joint investigation by Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General, the ATF, and Emmaus Police. The probe uncovered a scheme in which Gleason allegedly bought guns at Lewis’s direction to settle a methamphetamine-related debt—flooding the streets with untraceable weapons.
Agents confirmed Gleason made the 29 illegal firearm purchases across at least seven dealers in just four months. Each transaction was a violation of federal and state law, intended to arm individuals prohibited from owning guns. Authorities say Lewis orchestrated the scheme and never legally cleared to possess a firearm himself. The operation highlights how easily criminals exploit loopholes to arm themselves and others.
On May 3, a search warrant executed at Lewis’s hotel room and vehicle yielded a loaded handgun, ammo, drug paraphernalia, and an 80 percent receiver kit—components used to build a so-called “ghost gun.” These unserialized, untraceable firearms are increasingly favored by criminals. Also seized: suspected methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone pills, linking the gun ring directly to narcotics trafficking.
Gleason now faces 29 counts of Illegal Transfer of Firearms. Lewis is slammed with 29 counts each of Illegal Transfer of Firearms, Unsworn Falsification, Tampering With Public Records, Person Not To Possess Firearms, Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, and Corrupt Organizations. He’s also charged with 30 counts of Firearms Possessed by a Prohibited Person, one additional firearms count, and one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver.
“Purchasing a gun for someone who isn’t legally able to carry one is a crime that leads to shootings and murders,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “We follow up on these guns and we hold straw purchasers accountable across Pennsylvania.” The AG’s Gun Violence Section, working with federal partners, is intensifying efforts to intercept ghost guns before they’re used in violent crimes.
“Anyone who knowingly puts a firearm into the hands of a felon shows blatant disregard for the law,” said ATF Special Agent Matthew Varisco. The case is now in the hands of the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. All charges are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: Pennsylvania AG
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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