Stefan Bagley Jr., Gun Trafficking, Connecticut 2023

NEW HAVEN, CT – A network of six Connecticut men is facing federal charges after allegedly trafficking firearms throughout the state, according to a federal indictment unsealed today. The operation, which spanned over a year, involved the purchase of approximately 20 9mm handguns and the deliberate obliteration of serial numbers to evade tracing, authorities say.

The case began to unravel following a shooting in Bridgeport on July 26th, where Stefan Bagley Jr., 22, of Stratford, was wounded while driving. His vehicle was then reportedly used in a second shooting incident later that same day. Investigators quickly zeroed in on Bagley, discovering he’d been systematically purchasing firearms from licensed dealers between October 2022 and October 2023.

Bagley isn’t accused of just buying the guns; he’s alleged to have been the central figure in a trafficking ring. Authorities claim he scratched off the serial numbers – a critical step to make the weapons untraceable – before distributing them to a network of buyers. So far, only *one* of the 20 purchased firearms has been recovered, raising serious questions about where the rest ended up and in whose hands. Those allegedly receiving weapons from Bagley include Tremayne Ferguson, aka “Tre,” 23, of West Haven; Jamaine Adkins Jr., aka “G Banger,” 21, of Stratford; Jeffrey Charleston, aka “J Dot,” 20, of Bridgeport; Eskavail Gordon, aka “Vail,” 20, of Stratford; and Chase Dralle, aka “Chevy,” 23, of Trumbull.

The six men were arrested on December 18th after a federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment. Stefan Bagley Jr. faces the most serious charges: engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license (up to 5 years imprisonment) and making a false statement during a firearm purchase (up to 10 years). Bagley, along with Ferguson, Charleston, Gordon, and Dralle, are also charged with various firearms trafficking offenses, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years. Jamaine Adkins Jr. is charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, facing a maximum of 5 years behind bars.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery highlighted that the prosecution is leveraging new provisions within the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law in June 2022, specifically designed to crack down on illegal gun trafficking and straw purchases. Avery was quick to emphasize that an indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. “This case demonstrates our commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal firearms and holding accountable those who put our communities at risk,” she stated.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Division, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Maigret Donovan and Jessica Casey as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships.

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