Philadelphia Man Convicted of Narcotics, Firearms Charges At Trial

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Sunny Sok, 30, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted at trial of firearms and narcotics offenses arising from his illegal possession of a firearm and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

In June 2019, Sok was charged by Indictment with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In April 2019, the defendant was stopped by a Philadelphia Police officer for a traffic violation. The officer then learned that the vehicle’s registration was expired and that there was an open arrest warrant out for the vehicle’s owner for probation violations. After discovering this information, the officer asked the defendant to exit the car. When Sok opened the door, the officer observed drug paraphernalia inside. Upon a further search of the vehicle, the officer recovered 50 grams of methamphetamine, over 300 pills of counterfeit oxycodone, a digital scale, and a loaded gun.

“The crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm is a serious offense, especially when the firearm is used in furtherance of drug dealing. This trial victory is an important step in the direction of making Philadelphia safer, when the City is currently suffering from an epidemic of violent crime and insidious drug dealing,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “My Office is determined to get dangerous, repeat offenders off the streets and behind bars.”

“This case is a good example of our law enforcement partners working with ATF’s crime gun intelligence to remove repeat offenders from the streets of our communities,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “A federal jury has convicted this defendant of federal crimes, so he is no longer in a position to endanger anyone else.”

The case was investigated by the City of Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.