HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday — along with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Abington Township and Philadelphia police departments — announce charges against a Philadelphia-based man for trafficking “ghost guns,” firearms without serial numbers.
Following a lengthy collaborative investigation, 25-year-old Zairre Hamlett was charged this week by Philadelphia police with six felonies, including illegal transfers of firearms. He was arraigned and bail was set at $600,000.
Investigators determined Hamlett conducted numerous illegal sales of firearms without serial numbers in and around Philadelphia. Investigators surveilled sales of five pistols (all ghost guns) since October, including two with illegal machine gun conversion switches.
VIEW PHOTOS OF THE SEIZED FIREARMS
During a search warrant at Hamlett’s Dauphin Street home, officials found other firearms, including a 3-D printed privately-made firearm, ammunition, and additional materials to print firearms at home.
“Ghost guns exist for criminals to avoid detection by law enforcement, and every one of these deadly weapons should be considered a direct threat to public safety,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This significant arrest, and the seizure of several firearms, do not happen without collaboration between local and federal partners committed to protecting Pennsylvanians who desire — and deserve — to live free and safe in their communities.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division, said: “This case demonstrates how ATF partners with state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute dangerous offenders. Working together, we will continue to protect our communities to prevent violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms.”
DEA Philadelphia Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett said: “This investigation is a testament to the commitment and collaboration between the Office of Attorney General, DEA, ATF, the Philadelphia PD, and the Abington Township PD to protect our communities.”
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said: “Every ghost gun and every conversion switch taken off our streets represents lives that may have been saved. This investigation shows exactly how dangerous these trafficking operations are — and why coordinated work between the Philadelphia Police Department, ATF, the Attorney General’s Office, and our local partners is so critical. We will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who manufactures, sells, or distributes illegal firearms that put our neighborhoods at risk.”
Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy said: “This investigation highlights the serious and growing threat posed by the illegal manufacture and trafficking of ghost guns and fully automatic firearms within the region. The arrest of Zairre Hamlett and the seizure of multiple firearms, machine gun conversion devices, and manufacturing equipment not only disrupted an active trafficking operation, but also prevented these weapons from being further distributed into the community. I could not be prouder of the members of the Abington Police Department and our partners in the ATF, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Philadelphia Police Department who, through a collaborative effort, were able to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.”
The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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