Ringleaders of multicounty gun trafficking network plead guilty
Mikal Scott, of Cheltenham, and Terrence Barker, of Philadelphia, await sentencing
Two men who prosecutors maintained were ringleaders of a gun trafficking network that operated in Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties admitted to roles in the organization shortly before their trial was to begin.
Mikal Scott, 20, of the 7900 block of Rolling Green Road, Cheltenham, and Terrence Barker, 21, of the 6500 block of North 17th Street, Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to charges of corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, sales to ineligible persons, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy to engage in the illegal transfer of firearms in connection with incidents that occurred between March and August of 2020.
Scott, who is represented by defense lawyer Francis Genovese, and Barker, who is represented by defense lawyer Brooks Thompson, pleaded guilty to the charges shortly before jury selection was to begin for their trial this week.
Judge Thomas C. Branca deferred sentencing the men so that court officials can complete background investigation reports about the men. Scott and Barker potentially face more than a decade in prison on the charges.
A third man who helped operate the organization, Rahajahi Taylor Batchelor, 19, of the 1100 block of Green Street, Norristown, previously pleaded guilty to corrupt organizations charges and is awaiting sentencing. Batchelor was 17 when he was arrested in 2020 but given his leadership role in the organization, prosecutors sought to transfer his case to adult criminal court where punishments can be more severe.
Assistant District Attorney Kathleen McLaughlin is prosecuting all of the men.
Scott, Barker and Batchelor were among 14 people — nine adults and five juveniles — arrested in September 2020 in connection with the gun trafficking network. Authorities alleged the participants obtained and sold 44 firearms using straw purchase schemes.
A straw purchase occurs when a person with a clean background purchases firearms on behalf of another person to conceal the true ownership of the firearm. Those who are unable to legally purchase firearms include convicted felons, domestic violence offenders, juveniles and mentally ill individuals.
The organization had multiple members performing a variety of roles, including purchasing and marketing or sales of the firearms, detectives alleged.
Several people previously pleaded guilty to charges they made purchases of firearms on behalf of the organization and are awaiting sentencing. The purchases, which included 9mm handguns, were made using straw purchase schemes at several federally licensed firearm dealers in Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties, authorities said
At the time of the arrests in September 2020, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said the organization’s “sole purpose is to make money by putting firearms in the hands of people who cannot lawfully buy and possess guns.”
Authorities previously said only a few of the firearms had been recovered, including one that was linked to a shooting incident in Cheltenham and another seized during a traffic stop of a juvenile in Abington.
Earlier this year, Anthony Jamaris McCrary, 26, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to charges he purchased 35 firearms on behalf of the gun trafficking network led by Batchelor, Barker and Scott. McCrary also is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation began on Aug. 9, 2020, when county detectives were routinely reviewing paperwork related to multiple gun purchases by individuals and noticed McCrary’s purchases of a large number of guns from licensed dealers, according to court papers.
The following day, on Aug. 10, Norristown police responded to a shooting incident involving a 17-year-old male and a search of the residence where the shooting occurred uncovered two gun boxes that had been purchased on the day of the shooting by McCrary, who did not live at the residence. Neither gun had been reported stolen, indicating a possible straw purchase, authorities alleged.
Investigators subsequently learned that McCrary sometimes visited more than one gun store in a day and bought multiple firearms at the same time, according to court documents.
The investigation used surveillance, cellphone and social media analysis, search warrants and reviews of federal firearms forms to uncover the participants in the organization.
The Electronic Record of Sale system, part of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Track and Trace Initiative, was a key tool used by investigators to track the organization’s illegal firearms purchases.
The investigation was led by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s Violent Crime Unit and the Norristown Police Department.