Manhattan Man, James Thomas, Faces 120 Months in Prison for Gun Trafficking Conspiracy
A Manhattan man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a gun trafficking conspiracy that saw the illegal purchase and trafficking of approximately 89 firearms from Georgia to New York.
James Thomas, also known as ‘Spazz,’ pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in gun trafficking on May 20, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein, who imposed the sentence.
According to public filings and statements made in court, Thomas and his co-conspirators used a straw purchaser, Duvaughn Wilson, to buy at least 87 firearms from six federal firearms licensees in Georgia.
Wilson, also known as ‘Dupree,’ attested that he was the true purchaser of the firearms, when in fact, he was buying the guns on behalf of Thomas and his co-conspirators, who in turn illegally resold many of the guns to others.
The defendants coordinated with Wilson to place orders for specific firearms and paid for the weapons using cash, mobile banking applications, and wire payments. They also used coded language, referring to the weapons as ‘tvs,’ ‘knocks,’ and ‘situations.’
In some instances, the defendants referred to the caliber or model of a firearm by referencing the jersey numbers of famous athletes. After purchasing the weapons, Wilson transferred the firearms to Thomas, Courtney Schloss, and others who sold some of the guns in Georgia and transported other firearms to New York for resale.
In many instances, the guns were transferred to members of the Brooklyn-based ‘Blixky Gang’ — a group comprised primarily of aspiring rappers. Some of these guns later appeared in music videos filmed by members of the Blixky Gang. The videos show Blixky Gang members brandishing loaded firearms and displaying stacks of cash.
Law enforcement seized other firearms purchased in Georgia by Wilson in New York City. On at least two occasions, in the wake of violent crimes, the New York City Police Department seized firearms trafficked to New York as part of this scheme.
Thomas, of New York, New York, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Eight of Thomas’s co-defendants were previously sentenced in this case.
A chart containing the names and imposed sentences of the co-defendants is set forth below.
In addition to the prison term, Thomas’s co-defendant, Duvaughn Wilson, was previously sentenced to 60 months in prison for his role in the gun trafficking conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and is being investigated by the ATF.
Defendant:
James Thomas (also known as ‘Spazz’)
Criminal Charges:
Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage in Gun Trafficking
City and State:
New York, New York
Exact Date:
May 20, 2022 (sentencing)
Sentence or Outcome:
120 months in prison and three years of supervised release
Dollar Amounts:
None
Category:
Violent Crime
Related Federal Cases
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 →
