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Press Release

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Transporting and Selling Georgia Firearms to Rochester Felons

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York
 

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Paul Davis, 48, of Rochester pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to unlawfully engage in the business of firearms dealing without a license, including interstate transportation of firearms, sale of firearm to a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charges carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to forfeit 10 firearms along with various rounds of ammunition seized at his business and residence in Rochester, N.Y.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that between August 2012 and February 6, 2013, Davis traveled to the Atlanta, Georgia area for the purpose of acquiring firearms for illegal re-sale on the black market in Rochester. In Georgia, Davis obtained multiple firearms and rounds of ammunition from Liddon Young.  Davis then transported the firearms and ammunition by vehicle himself, or arranged their vehicular transportation by others, to Rochester. Once in Rochester, Davis re-sold the firearms and rounds of ammunition to individuals that the defendant knew or had reasonable cause to know, were felons and/or involved in drug trafficking. Davis was arrested February 6, 2013 after selling a Georgia pistol to a confidential informant. Multiple federal search warrants executed that night resulted in the seizure of 10 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at locations controlled by Davis.

            Liddon Young was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with multiple gun charges in February 2013.

            “Our office is committed to closing the pipeline that allows criminals to fill the streets of our community with illegal firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “As in this case, we will continue to work closely with our partners at all levels of government to stem the flow of these guns which often times are used to inflict violence in our neighborhoods.”           

            The conviction is the culmination of an investigation on the part of on the part of Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joseph A. Anarumo, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James M. Sheppard.

            Sentencing is scheduled for September 4, 2013 at 9:30 pm before Judge Geraci.

 

 

Updated December 10, 2014