Burlington Co. Man Sold Meth, Illegal Guns To Undercover Cops: Feds

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ – A Burlington County man has been charged with firearms and drug offenses as a result of a drug and guns deal with undercover agents, federal officials said.

Cody Starr, 35, of Mount Holly, was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a machine gun, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime following the early November sting operation, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Starr made his initial appearance Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden federal court and was detained without bail.

Undercover agents met with Starr at his residence on Nov. 8, 2022, with Starr selling methamphetamine and three PMFs to the agents while armed with a machine gun, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

A PMF is a firearm, including a frame or receiver, produced by a person other than a licensed manufacturer. The firearms also lack serial numbers from a licensed manufacturer at the time the firearm was produced, federal officials said.

“The charges described in this complaint include possessing a privately made automatic weapon, U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “We are committed to protecting the community by prosecuting those who commit firearms offenses.”

The drug distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a potential maximum term of life in prison, and up to a $10 million fine. The felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun each carry a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

In addition, the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge carries a mandatory minimum term of incarceration of five years in prison, a potential maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

“ATF remains steadfast in identifying, investigating, arresting, and prosecuting those offenders responsible for violent crime and preventing them from wreaking havoc in our neighborhoods,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said.

“We will continue to target not only those who illegally possess or utilize firearms to commit violent crimes, but also those who facilitate illegal manufacturing and trafficking of firearms. ATF will never waver in our commitment to protecting the community and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold all violators accountable.”

U.S. Attorney Sellinger thanked special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Camden Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection, New Jersey State Police, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Mount Holly Police Department, Evesham Police Department, and Pine Hill Police Department for their help.