Cody Starr, Possession of Machinegun and Drug Trafficking, New Jersey 2022

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County man has been charged with firearms and narcotics offenses, including possession of a machinegun and distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Cody Starr, 35, of Mount Holly, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a machinegun, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Starr made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden federal court and was detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On Nov. 8, 2022, undercover agents met with Starr at his residence. While armed with a machinegun, which was a privately made firearm (PMF), Starr sold methamphetamine and three PMFs to the undercover agents.

A PMF is a firearm, including a frame or receiver, completed, assembled, or otherwise produced by a person other than a licensed manufacturer, and without a serial number placed by a licensed manufacturer at the time the firearm was produced.

“The charges described in this complaint include possessing a privately-made automatic weapon, U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “We are committed to protecting the community by prosecuting those who commit firearms offenses.”

The charge of drug distribution carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a potential maximum term of life in prison, and up to a $10 million fine. The felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun each carry a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge carry a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Camden Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Defendant: Cody Starr, Charges: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Possession of a machinegun, Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, City and State: Camden, New Jersey, Date: Nov. 8, 2022, Sentence or Outcome: Detained without bail.

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