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Gun Traffickers Caught in Camden
CAMDEN, N.J. – A pair of gun traffickers from Fayetteville, North Carolina, are behind bars after a months-long investigation by federal authorities.
Anthony Doyle, 27, and Anastacia Thomas, 26, are charged with conspiring to illegally traffic firearms in the Camden area. Doyle is also facing charges of being a felon in possession of firearms.
The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, began in November 2017 and culminated in the arrest of Doyle and Thomas earlier this month. The pair will make their initial appearances in court in New Jersey today.
According to court documents, the gun trafficking operation was uncovered after a traffic stop in January 2018. During the stop, officers found a loaded Glock handgun in plain view on the front seat passenger floor. A search of the vehicle and a backpack revealed four additional handguns and two firearm boxes.
Further investigation revealed that Thomas had purchased the firearms from a pawnshop in Jonesboro, Georgia, and that Doyle had used social media to advertise firearms for sale and arrange transactions. The duo allegedly worked together to deal in firearms without a license from November 30, 2017, to January 25, 2018.
The charges carry significant penalties, with a maximum of 15 years in prison and $500,000 in fines if convicted. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the ATF with the investigation, which was led by Special Agent in Charge John B. Devito.
Doyle will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden federal court, while Thomas will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion in Newark federal court. Both defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel for Doyle is Christopher O’Malley, Esq., of the Camden Federal Public Defender’s Office, while Thomas is represented by Paul A. Sarmousakis, Esq., of Avalon, New Jersey.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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