HUDSON FALLS, NY – Jonathon Combs, 43, of Granville, New York, has confessed to a brazen scheme that saw 32 firearms stolen from Calamity Jane’s Firearms and Fine Shoes, then funneled into the shadowy world of drug trafficking. Combs pleaded guilty today to two counts of theft of firearms from a licensed dealer and to using those firearms in connection with a drug crime, federal prosecutors announced.
The thefts occurred on two separate occasions in October 2022. The second break-in was particularly violent, with Combs and an accomplice smashing their way into the store after hours using a sledgehammer to pilfer 31 semi-automatic pistols. This wasn’t a case of opportunistic theft; the firearms were immediately traded to another individual for a substantial supply of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
“This case highlights the dangerous intersection of firearms theft and drug trafficking,” said Carla B. Freedman, United States Attorney. The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New York State Police (NYSP), and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered a clear pattern of Combs using stolen weapons to facilitate his drug operation. Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy’s office played a key role in the local investigation.
Combs now faces a stiff penalty for his actions. He’s looking at a minimum of 5 years in prison, but could receive a life sentence, along with a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 5 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. The final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of the case.
Combs wasn’t working alone. Martin Taft, 48, and Kwahpreme Mitchell, 32, are still facing charges in connection with the gun theft and drug trafficking ring. Both men also face a minimum of 5 years and a potential life sentence if convicted. Authorities are quick to note that these are merely accusations at this stage, and both Taft and Mitchell are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmet O’Hanlon and Allen J. Vickey are leading the prosecution. The ATF’s New York Field Division, headed by Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito, spearheaded the federal investigation, assisted by Acting NYSP Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle to stem the flow of illegal firearms and narcotics into communities across the state.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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