WILMINGTON, DE – Khalil Rodriguez-Fitzgerald, 27, of Wilmington, Delaware, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 37 months for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Andrews last week, reveals a pattern of brazen disregard for the law and a direct contribution to the escalating gun violence plaguing the streets of New Castle County.
Federal prosecutors detailed in court how Rodriguez-Fitzgerald illegally possessed a Glock model 19x handgun from February 8, 2021, to February 11, 2021. The weapon wasn’t legally obtained; it was straw purchased in North Carolina on February 7, 2021, and smuggled north to New Jersey before ending up in Rodriguez-Fitzgerald’s hands. This alone made possession illegal given his prior criminal history. But the story doesn’t end there.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer K. Welsh successfully argued for a harsher sentence, presenting evidence gleaned from Rodriguez-Fitzgerald’s social media and phone records. The data painted a disturbing picture: the 27-year-old wasn’t just holding onto a gun for self-defense. He was actively buying firearms, funneling them to members of the notorious Northpak gang, and simultaneously dealing drugs. The government argued, and the judge agreed, that a sentence within the standard guidelines wouldn’t adequately reflect the severity of his actions.
Rodriguez-Fitzgerald’s involvement with Northpak extends beyond simply supplying weapons. He’s also been indicted in Delaware’s Superior Court on charges of gang participation and weapons offenses, alongside other members accused of shootings and murders in New Castle County between 2018 and 2021. Prosecutors revealed that Rodriguez-Fitzgerald wasn’t shy about flaunting his connections, frequently communicating with Northpak members and even boasting about acts of violence on social media.
U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss didn’t mince words, stating that Rodriguez-Fitzgerald “poses a clear and present danger to our community.” Weiss highlighted not only the contribution to street violence through gun trafficking but also Rodriguez-Fitzgerald’s attempt to evade capture by leading police on a high-speed chase on Concord Pike, reaching speeds near 100 mph and endangering innocent civilians. While the government requested a 57-month sentence, the 37-month term still sends a message, though a weak one, about the consequences of fueling gang warfare.
ATF Baltimore Field Division Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby underscored the “flagrant disregard for law, order, and human life” displayed by Rodriguez-Fitzgerald. The case was a joint effort between the ATF, Wilmington Police Department, and the Delaware Department of Justice, a testament to the need for coordinated action to combat the cycle of violence. This conviction, while a step forward, is a grim reminder of the constant flow of illegal firearms into the hands of criminals and the devastating consequences that follow. The investigation continues, and more indictments related to Northpak are expected.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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