Gun Trafficker In Philly, Nearby Suburbs Draws Lengthy Prison Term

NORRISTOWN, PA — A 21-year-old city man who authorities say was involved in a multi-county gun trafficking ring throughout the Greater Philadelphia region was recently given a 9-to-18-year prison sentence for his role in the straw purchasing scheme, according to court records and media reports.

Philadelphia resident Terrence Barker was handed the prison term last week by Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas C. Branca after Barker pleaded guilty to a handful of criminal charges connected to the gun trafficking ring, which operated in Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties.

Barker, who was 19 at the time of his involvement in the criminal enterprise, apologized to the court upon his recent sentencing, saying he understood the severity of what he did, according to a report in the Mercury newspaper.

In September 2020, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced charges against nine adults and five juveniles, who authorities said illegally obtained a total of 44 firearms and sold them on the black market.

Barker was the leader of the criminal organization, the DA's Office previously stated.

The investigation began in August of that year, when county detectives who were pouring over gun purchase paperwork began to notice some discrepancies.

Investigators noticed an unusually high number of guns being bought at local gun dealers by the same individuals.

An ensuing investigation involved the use of things like surveillance, cellphone analysis, review of gun dealer purchase forms, social media analysis and more to ultimately determine the existence of a high-level gun trafficking organization, prosecutors previously announced.

"We may never know the true extent of the damage from these 44 illegal guns since guns obtained using a straw purchaser are typically immediately resold to people who can't legally guy a gun for themselves," DA Steele said in a statement back in the fall of 2020 after the arrests were announced.

Barker was one of three individuals who authorities said were the ring leaders of the operation, the other two defendants hailing from Norristown and Cheltenham.

Court records show that Branca imposed sentence on July 27.

The docket sheet in the case shows that Barker was scheduled to go to trial in late May and early June of this year, but that he ended up pleading guilty to numerous felony counts prior to the start of trial.

Records show he pleaded guilty to charges of corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal use of a communications facility, illegal sale of firearms, criminal conspiracy, sales to ineligible transferees and more.

The charges were a mix of both felonies and misdemeanors.

The Mercury reported that Barker's defense attorney stated that his client had a difficult childhood and that he ended up falling in with the wrong group of peers.

The attorney, Brooks Thompson, reportedly said that his client was remorseful and was hoping for a sentence closer to the 5-to-10-year term.

The Mercury posted video of Barker being led out of court by sheriff's deputies at which time a reporter asked for his reaction to the sentence, and Barker turned to the camera saying, "Kids, stay in school."