Philly Gun Traffickers Were Active Across Sepa, Authorities Claim

A group of eight suspected Philadelphia gun traffickers accused of putting nearly 100 firearms on the streets now faces criminal charges, officials say.

PA State Police; Larry Williams
Photo Credit: *Facebook/Pennsylvania State Police // Inset: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office*

These eight Philadelphia residents are accused of belonging to a gun trafficking organization, prosecutors say.
Photo Credit: *Facebook/Montgomery County District Attorney's Office*

Mac Bullock

02/24/2023 3:51 p.m.

The crew, allegedly headed by 40-year-old Larry Williams, bought guns from legal vendors through straw purchases before reselling the firearms on the black market for a profit, said acting Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry in a statement.

State investigators say the guns were purchased in Bucks, Chester, Columbia, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York counties and trafficked throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Detectives believe Williams directed the purchases and sold the majority of the ill-gotten guns, while also engaging in drug trafficking, according to the AG's Office.

Also charged were Philadelphia residents:

Robert Cooper III, 23, is accused of straw-purchasing 41 guns and attempting to buy eight more.
Ziair Stenson, 26, is accused of straw-purchasing 36 guns and attempting to buy seven more.
Malik Rowell-Jernigan, 24, is accused of straw-purchasing eight guns and attempting to buy three more.
Kevin Lester Logan, 24, is accused of straw-purchasing three guns.
Daynell Jones, 40, is accused of straw-purchasing three guns.
Zakayla S. Deshields, 22, is accused of straw-purchasing three guns.
Shadiid Smalley, 23, is accused of attempting to straw-purchase five guns.

Each is charged with "dozens" of felonies related to gun trafficking, officials said. According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Logan and Deshields have not been arrested yet.

In total, the Philly-based crew bought and sold 94 guns illegally, officials claim. So far, 29 of those firearms have been recovered by police, according to acting AG Henry.

The charges follow a months-long investigation that involved help from the district attorneys' offices in Bucks and Montgomery counties, local police across the region, and state and federal level law enforcement, she added.

"Far too frequently these weapons end up in the hands of dangerous individuals to be used to commit crimes and fuel gun violence in our communities,” Henry said.

“I am grateful for the hard work of all the agencies who partnered in this investigation. Together, we will continue to fight hard to stop the trafficking of firearms in our state and make Pennsylvania safer for all who live here.”

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