In a major blow to gun traffickers, Dennis Wolfolk, a 57-year-old resident of Marietta, Georgia, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for possessing firearms in relation to a larger scheme to purchase and illegally transport into New York more than two dozen handguns.
According to court records, Wolfolk pleaded guilty in May 2023 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. His co-defendant, Patrick Polidore, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to making false statements to acquire firearms and is awaiting sentencing.
Between October and December 2020, Polidore visited numerous federally licensed retailers in the Atlanta metropolitan area and acted as the straw purchaser for approximately 27 handguns. Many of these firearms were purchased in rapid succession on a handful of common dates.
At least 12 of the handguns Wolfolk transported to New York have been recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes in and around Long Island. On November 4, 2020, Polidore purchased six firearms from four different retail locations in Georgia, which Wolfolk trafficked to New York. Shortly after, those firearms began emerging on Long Island.
“The so-called gun trafficking ‘Iron Pipeline’ from Georgia to Long Island took a detour to a federal courtroom for Wolfolk, a convicted felon, who was punished today for his continuing disregard of the law and serious criminal conduct that resulted in guns being found in the hands of juveniles, a parolee, criminals and at the scene of a murder,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace.
Wolfolk’s sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York. Mr. Peace thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the ATF’s Atlanta Field Division, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County Police Department, and the Hempstead Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat gun trafficking and bring those responsible to justice. The recovery of firearms and the prosecution of those involved in these schemes are critical to keeping communities safe.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Thomas Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the charges.
“The interstate flow of illegal guns is a grave threat to public safety,” stated ATF Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Kalogiros. “This sentencing sends a clear message to those who think they can traffic firearms into NY without consequence. ATF NY will continue to share Crime Gun Intelligence with law enforcement partners across all boundaries to identify, disrupt and dismantle firearms trafficking schemes. Each illegal firearm recovered is a potential life saved. I commend the work of ATF NY’s Long Island Field Office, Nassau County PD, Hempstead PD and EDNY for their diligent efforts and collaboration through this investigation.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Evans of the Eastern District of New York.
Related Federal Cases
- Eric Tollefson, Felon in Possession of Firearms, New York 2018 · New York
- Joseph Price, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Georgia 2023 · Alabama
- Tony Terry, Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy, New York 2023 · Georgia
- Nguyen, High-Stakes Robbery, New York 2024 · New York
- Cole Bridges, Terrorism, New York, 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime