Illegal Weapons Trafficker Sentenced To 7 Yrs. In Prison: Nassau DA

MINEOLA, NY — A South Carolina man was sentenced on Wednesday to prison for selling illegal firearms last year that were trafficked to Nassau County, prosecutors said.

Kim Lilly, 45, was sentenced to seven years in prison and five years of post-release supervision, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

Lilly pleaded guilty on September 26 to first-degree criminal sale of a firearm and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.

"This case underscores the danger of illegal firearms making their way into our communities. Trafficking weapons into Nassau County not only endangers individuals and families, but it also fuels violence on our streets," Donnelly said "Every gun seized during this investigation has prevented countless potential shootings."

Donnelly said that on four separate dates between August 2023 and January 2024, Lilly sold 11 illegal firearms in Freeport, where he previously lived, including an assault rifle and assault pistol, and pistols.

All but one of the firearms were loaded and sold with accompanying ammunition. He also sold several high-capacity magazines, Donnelly said.

The weapons were found to have been initially purchased from a pawn shop in South Carolina and then trafficked by Lilly to Nassau County, prosecutors said.

Lilly was arrested on April 3 in Farmingdale by members of the ATF Firearms Task Force. Following Lilly’s arrest, two loaded handguns were recovered during a search warrant executed on his vehicle, Donnelly said.

Lilly’s co-defendant, Tomeca Jeter, 49, of South Carolina, pleaded guilty in July to attempted criminal possession of a firearm, prosecutors said. Jeter was sentenced to time served last month.