9 Indicted In Camden County 'Ghost Gun' Trafficking Ring: AG

Nine of the 12 people arrested as part of a network that trafficked untraceable firearms, including six AR-15 assault rifles, in Camden County earlier this year have been indicted, authorities announced on Wednesday.

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau has obtained a 36-count indictment against the nine men, who were arrested as part of what began as a drug investigation in March, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.

Seven men are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine, including two who also are charged with illegal gun trafficking. The other two men are charged solely in connection with the illegal gun trafficking.

The three men who were arrested and not indicted have not been charged with weapons offenses. They were only charged as part of the drug investigation.

The operation included the sale of 14 “ghost guns,” which authorities said are not registered and do not have serial numbers. This makes the guns difficult to trace and makes it harder for law enforcement to solve gun crimes, Grewal said.

Authorities said these guns were assembled using kits that were purchased online. This included six AR-15 assault rifles and parts that were to be used to assemble two more AR-15s, Grewal said.

The arrests were the climax of a year-long investigation dubbed “Operation Stone Wall,” and were the first made under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in November that makes it a crime to buy, manufacture, possess or sell ghost guns in New Jersey, Grewal said.

Shortly after the arrests, the state filed a lawsuit against a “ghost gun” manufacturer based in California. Read more here: New Jersey Files Lawsuit Against “Ghost Gun” Manufacturer

• Christopher Stoner, 42, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (2 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 3rd degree); Disposition of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree); Possession of Firearm While Committing Drug Offense (2nd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (1st degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree);
• Nicholas Cilien, 39, of Mt. Ephraim: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (3 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon (2nd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (1st degree); Possession of Oxycodone (3rd degree); Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree); Possession of Xanax (3rd degree); Possession of Xanax with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree);
• Paul Corum, 43, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 3rd degree); Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree); Disposition of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree);
• Marc Freeman, 53, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 3rd degree); Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree); Disposition of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree) Possession of Prohibited Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Manufacture of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Possession of Weapon by Person Who Committed Domestic Violence Offense (3rd degree);
• Bryheem Belcher, 33, of Magnolia: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree);
• Michael Smith, 48, of Woodbury Heights: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree);
• Fabian Sapp, 45, of Sicklerville: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree);
• Devon Davis, 31, of Chesilhurst: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); and

Read more here: "Ghost Gun" Ring Sold Untraceable AR-15s In Camden County: Cops

The investigation initially focused on a cocaine distribution ring being run by Lamont White, of Lindenwold. He was running the ring with his son, Tyriek Bradford, and their associate, John Rayford, all of Lindenwold, authorities said.

Detectives said they soon learned that Stoner was selling cocaine to White. Authorities said he got the cocaine from Cilien, Belcher, Smith, Sapp, Davis and Monroe Gadson.

Detectives said they soon learned that Stoner also illegally sold guns, including the "ghost guns." Stoner worked with Cilien, Corum and Freeman to sell the firearms, authorities said.

Freeman and Corum purchased the kits for the guns online, and Freeman assembled them, authorities allege. They were then sold for prices ranging from $1,100 to $1,300 per gun, according to authorities.

During the investigation, detectives captured Freeman and Corum discussing the delay of a potential gun sale because the new law prevented guns from being shipped to New Jersey, according to authorities. Instead, the guns would be shipped to Pennsylvania.

On March 13, authorities said they intercepted parts for two more assault rifles allegedly ordered by Freeman and Corum for shipment to Bensalem, Pa.

In addition, authorities said they seized 525 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $18,500 to $37,000, and three bundles (30 doses) of heroin.

On the day the arrests began, detectives executed several search warrants:

• At Stoner's home, they said they seized a handgun, a small amount of crack cocaine, a scale, drug packaging materials, and $1,738 in cash.
• At Cilien's home, they said they seized a handgun, a shotgun, about 120 oxycodone and Xanax pills, drug packaging materials, and $2,095 in cash.
• At Gadson's home in Camden, they said they seized two handguns, about 3.5 pounds of marijuana, drug packaging materials, and $18,420 in cash.
• At the home of Corum and Freeman, they said they seized tools used to assemble ghost guns, as well as a handgun and a shotgun, both belonging to Freeman.

Cilien and Corum were ordered detained until trial. The other defendants named in the indictment were ordered released with conditions following detention hearings in March, except Hagans, who was initially charged by summons.

The first-degree narcotics charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. The charge of possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years without parole. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The third-degree drug charges carry enhanced fines of up to $35,000 for the possession charges or $75,000 for the distribution charges.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Camden County, where the defendants will be ordered to appear in court at a later date for arraignment.