Gun Trafficking Ring In Camden County Busted; 11 Indicted

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — What began as an investigation into stolen motorcycles and ATVs resulted in an indictment of 11 people in connection with a gun trafficking ring in Camden, authorities announced on Thursday.

A total of 20 guns—including an AR-style “ghost” assault rifle, an SKS assault rifle, seven “ghost” 9 mm semi-automatic handguns, and 11 other handguns—were seized in “Operation Grab and Go,” Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced.

The 10-month investigation was led by the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes South Unit and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Specialized Crimes Bureau.

Two illegal large-capacity magazines and 20 stolen motorcycles also were seized, authorities said. Several members of the criminal ring have also been charged with distributing methamphetamine and cocaine.

“We are working relentlessly to dismantle the criminal networks that funnel illegal firearms into New Jersey,” Bruck said. “Weapons of war are bloodying the streets of Camden, and we’re committed to cutting the supply lines.”

It’s unclear where the seized firearms came from, or if they have been used in commission with any crimes, authorities said in a news conference. Investigations are ongoing.

“This case is yet another example of how collaboration between agencies can yield results that have a true impact on the safety of our residents,” Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer said. “Getting guns off the street is one of our highest priorities here in Camden County. Gone are the days when any agency conducts an operation of this magnitude without the benefit of intelligence sharing and assistance from other law enforcement partners in our community. Operation Grab and Go is a testament to what we can accomplish together.”

Lamar Soto, 28 of Camden, was identified early on as the ringleader of a group that was initially being investigated for stolen motorcycles and ATVs, authorities said.

During the course of the investigation, undercover officers discovered some members of the group were also selling methamphetamine and cocaine, and later, illegal firearms. At that point, the investigation expanded, authorities said.

Soto, his brother Jirman Soto, 25; his sister Selena Soto, 24; and Ruben Zayas, 19, all of Camden, were charged with weapons trafficking. Lamar Soto, Jirman Soto, Zayas and Wendell Bethea, 32 of Sicklerville, are charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

Lamar Soto, Jirman Soto, Selena Soto, Zayas, Julio Arroyo, 33 of Camden; Genaro Molino, 23 of Camden; Ashley Petruchelli, 36 of Camden; Luis Rivera, 38 of Camden; and Pedro Luciano, 37 of Camden, were all charged with first-degree racketeering.

Lamar Soto also faces first-degree charges of promoting organized street crime, leader of a firearms trafficking network, and distribution of methamphetamine.

All 11 members of the group, including Alberto Lopez, 29 of Camden, are charged in the indictment with conspiring to steal, receive, and traffic stolen motorcycles and ATVs.

“Although illegal weapons are almost always involved with organized criminal activity, the criminal activity does not always involve the trafficking of illegal weapons—especially ghost guns, which are purposefully designed to make it difficult for law enforcement to trace,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The success of an operation of this magnitude can only be made possible through intelligence-led policing, collaboration, and information sharing among our local, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Cooperative operations like ‘Grab and Go’ are without question making our communities safer, and I commend the outstanding work of our State Police detectives and all of the agencies involved.”

Authorities allege that Lamar Soto, Jirman Soto, and Zayas allegedly sold seven 9mm semi-automatic Polymer 80 handguns and one AR-style assault rifle that are illegal “ghost guns,” which are not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer and therefore difficult for law enforcement to trace to their purchaser.

They are charged with multiple counts of unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number and unlawful disposition of a firearm without a serial number.

“I commend the New Jersey State Police and all of our law enforcement partners for pursuing every lead in this investigation, resulting in the discovery and dismantling of a major weapons trafficking ring,” said Director Lyndsay V. Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “With this indictment, our Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau has charged these defendants to the full extent of the law for every aspect of their alleged criminal conduct, from conspiring to steal and fence motorcycles to selling illegal firearms and narcotics. Through investigations like Operation Grab and Go, we’re making our communities safer and more secure.”

Luciano remains at-large on an arrest warrant. The other 10 members were arrested in June. Lamar Soto and Jirman Soto were ordered detained in jail pending trial. The other arrested defendants were released subject to court-ordered conditions after detention hearings.

“Today I stand alongside our local, state, and federal partners to give a public service reminder to all would-be firearm and drug traffickers, and to those who contribute to violent crime in our communities: you are on our radar,” Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews of the ATF Newark Field Division said “As revealed in this joint investigation, these defendants were undoubtedly a clear danger to the community. I have no doubt that their ability to cause further harm has been thwarted by the efforts of all parties involved. ATF will continue to work cooperatively with our agency allies to remove violent criminals from our streets.”

“Shutting down the illegal gun trade is vital to reducing violent crime and saving lives,” said Bradley S. Benavides, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “This takedown is a win for the people of Camden and beyond. Multiple key crime drivers allegedly victimizing this city and region are now off the street. The FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force was proud to partner on this investigation and will continue to work with our law enforcement colleagues to make our communities safer.”

Bruck thanked the following partners for their work on the investigation:

• New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes South Unit, Crime Suppression South Unit, Gangs and Organized Crime South Unit, Fugitive Unit, K-9 Unit, and Casino Gaming Bureau
• Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau
• U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• FBI South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force
• Camden County Prosecutor’s Office
• National Insurance Crime Bureau

First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $200,000. First-degree racketeering carries a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed. A sentence imposed for promoting organized street crime must be served consecutively to the sentence imposed for any underlying offense.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Among other weapons offenses, Lamar Soto, Jirman Soto, Ruben Zayas, and Selena Soto are charged with various counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, which carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed or 3 ½ years, whichever is greater. Lamar Soto and Jirman Soto are also charged with second-degree possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, which carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of five years.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000 (up to $35,000 for third-degree narcotics possession), while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.