Federal officials announced Wednesday the shutdown of an alleged gun trafficking network described as a "conveyor belt of weapons," which moved firearms from North Carolina across the East Coast. The investigation, culminating in a 13-count federal indictment, targeted an operation accused of supplying illegally purchased firearms to convicted felons and criminals, linking weapons to drugs, robberies, and a homicide.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that firearms bought under false pretenses in North Carolina were distributed to locations including D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and the Caribbean nation of Grenada. Five individuals now face federal charges including gun trafficking, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting, as confirmed by U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Among those implicated are Arnise Young and Antonique Whitaker, identified as two licensed D.C. special police officers. Pirro noted that Whitaker was contracted to work at D.C. public schools between 2022 and 2024. Federal officials also named Brian Agee, known as "B," and Frank Harris, known as "Fat Boy," as alleged leaders of the network. Pirro indicated both men have previous felony convictions involving robberies and firearms offenses.
Prosecutors allege the network utilized "straw purchasers" who acquired guns under false pretenses for individuals legally prohibited from buying them. Investigators traced the weapons through their serial numbers, connecting firearms originally purchased in North Carolina to crime scenes and police investigations across multiple states. ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood explained that ballistics technology also played a role, describing it as "like a fingerprint for firearms" that connects guns to crimes across states such as New Jersey and Virginia.
Pirro highlighted several specific instances where guns tied to the alleged operation were recovered. A firearm purchased in September 2022 was recovered in D.C. in October 2022 during a drug-related homicide investigation. Two firearms bought in August 2023 were recovered in D.C. in October 2023 at a "gun recovery scene." Another firearm purchased in August 2023 was recovered in D.C. in November 2023 in connection with a carjacking. A firearm acquired in May 2023 was recovered in D.C. in December 2023 during a drug investigation. Additionally, other firearms were recovered during investigations involving fentanyl, cocaine, PCP, and other drugs, according to Pirro.
Pirro stated that firearms illegally moved from North Carolina ultimately reached felons and criminals in the District of Columbia. She also pointed out the speed with which some firearms moved from their initial purchase to being recovered in crimes, a pattern investigators consider indicative of illegal straw purchasing. Warning signs of straw purchasing include acquiring several identical guns at once or repeatedly buying firearms over a short period. ATF officials added that licensed firearms dealers often provide tips about suspicious buyers, assisting investigators in identifying potential trafficking operations.
This investigation was a coordinated effort involving federal prosecutors, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other law enforcement agencies. It was conducted in conjunction with the Trump administration's Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.