Prosecutors say that twelve people, including three U.S. Army soldiers, are accused of being involved in a gun-trafficking ring. As a result, close to 100 guns were provided to gang members in Chicago that lead to two known murders.
Demarcus Adams, 21, Jarvis Brunson, 22, and Brandon Miller, 22 were soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. There, they would buy guns legally from dealers located in Tennessee and Kentucky. Afterward, the guns were sold to members of the Gangster Disciples street gang in the south side of Chicago.
Officials say that Miller would obtain orders for various guns from the gang members. Then, he, Brunson, and Adams would purchase the weapons from dealers in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Oak Grove, Kentucky. Gang members would pay for the guns through Zelle or CashApp.
The men have been indicted on charges of conspiring to violate federal firearms laws and other offenses. If they are found guilty, they could receive a 20-year prison sentence.
Miller also advertised that people could buy ammunition from him as he had 1,100 rounds, authorities say.
90 illegal guns were sold to the gang “to facilitate the on-going violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their enemies,” the Justice Department noted.
Blaise Smith, 29, Raheem Johnson, 24, Bryant Larkin, 33, Corey Curtis, 26, Elijah Tillman, 24, Lazarus Greenwood, 23, were indicted. Dwight Lowry, 41, Dreshion Parks, 25, and Terrell Mitchell, 27, were also indicted.
Documents note that Miller would text with his associates in Chicago to figure out a deal on the price of the guns.
“The silver one, a 380, u want it, it’s a steal, Miller wrote to Lowry in December 2020. Lowry responded stating, “Yup can’t beat it.”
