Gun Trafficking Ring Busted in Philadelphia: Two Men Charged
PHILADELPHIA, PA – In a major blow to the city’s violent crime problem, two men have been charged with illegally trafficking almost 60 guns into Philadelphia from South Carolina.
Terrance Darby, 41, of Philadelphia, PA, and Ontavious Plumer, 32, of Due West, South Carolina, were charged by Superseding Indictment with gun trafficking offenses in connection with their scheme to straw purchase and transport across state lines almost 60 firearms.
According to the Superseding Indictment, between November 2020 and February 2021, the defendants conspired with at least four other individuals to illegally straw-purchase almost 60 firearms from federally licensed gun shops in South Carolina, then transport these firearms via car into Philadelphia.
Specifically, the defendants were charged with unlicensed dealing and transport of firearms, and conspiracy to engage in unlicensed dealing of firearms and to make false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer. Darby was also charged with drug trafficking and gun possession stemming from his possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and unlawful possession of two firearms in his home in November 2021.
This Superseding Indictment is the third set of charges brought by this Office in the last two months targeting the illegal trafficking of firearms from southern states into Philadelphia, a large northeastern city, a fact pattern which is known as the ‘iron pipeline.’
“Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced strategies to fight violent crime, including cracking down on firearms trafficking and the ‘iron pipeline,’ and our Office announced the indictment of fourteen people engaged in that black-market business. With today’s charges, we have shut off yet another valve to stem the flow of guns into Philadelphia,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams.
At a time when our communities have seen a spike in violent gun crime, it is more important now than ever that we hold those accountable for criminal actions,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “The diligence of our local, state, and federal partners prevented more guns from circulation into the community, as the indictment alleges.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
The defendants were charged with:
Unlicensed dealing and transport of firearms
Conspiracy to engage in unlicensed dealing of firearms and to make false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer
Darby was also charged with:
Drug trafficking and gun possession stemming from his possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl
Unlawful possession of two firearms in his home in November 2021
Related Federal Cases
- 33 Indicted in Pittsburgh Narcotics Trafficking Ring, Pennsylvania · South Carolina
- Patrick Rodrigues DeOliveira, Gun Trafficking, MA 2024 · Massachusetts
- Dwain London Jr., Crack Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2024 · Massachusetts
- Gun Trafficking Ring Busted in Philly · Alabama
- Terrance A. Tarver, Drug Distribution Network Indicted, OH, 2023 · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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