FOUR PEOPLE INDICTED IN CONSPIRACY THAT TRAFFICKED GUNS FROM GEORGIA TO THE BRONX

 

17 Guns Bought at Atlanta Pawn Shops Were Defaced at Bronx Auto Body Shop, Sold to Undercover Officer  

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that four people have been indicted for allegedly trafficking firearms into the Bronx, where the serial numbers were removed at an auto body shop before being sold to an undercover NYPD Officer. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The Iron Pipeline is still flowing from the South. Four defendants in three states allegedly conspired to bring numerous handguns from Georgia into our community, where we have been battling violence. The courageous work of an undercover NYPD detective thwarted their operation, and these weapons will not be used in crimes on our streets.” 

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, “This wide-ranging indictment showcases our unwavering commitment to dismantling illegal supply chains that continuously endanger our communities. I commend the diligent efforts of our NYPD investigators, particularly our courageous undercover police officer involved in this specific case, as well as our partners at the Bronx District Attorney’s office and the ATF for their vital contributions in intercepting these unlawful firearms before they could inflict harm on any New Yorkers. The individuals charged with selling these weapons on our streets are being held responsible for their alleged criminal behavior.”

Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division Alicia D. Jones said, “One of ATF's top priorities is the thorough investigation of firearms traffickers, ensuring they are swiftly held accountable for their actions. This case exemplifies the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration, leading to the successful arrest of multiple suspects. We are grateful for the outstanding results achieved through the cooperative efforts of our partner agencies."

District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Charles Vilson, 37, of Covington, Georgia, his sister, Elizabeth Allen, 50, of Newark, New Jersey, Marlon Laronde, 37, of Clifton, New Jersey, and Rohan McLean, 34, of 3315 Barker Avenue in the Bronx, are variously charged in a 115-count indictment with first-degree Criminal Sale of a Firearm, second-degree Criminal Sale of a Firearm, fourth-degree Conspiracy, Possession of Ammunition, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, third-degree Criminal Sale of a Firearm, Defacement of Weapons, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm. Rohan Mclean was arraigned August 16, 2024. Bail was set at $350,000 cash/$700,000 bond/$700,000 partially secured bond at 10%. He is due back in court on November 15, 2024. The remaining defendants will be arraigned at a later date.

According to the investigation by the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit, the Bronx District Attorney’s Special Investigations Bureau and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, between June 21, 2023, and April 24, 2024, Vilson allegedly purchased handguns from at least three Atlanta pawn shops. He allegedly drove the guns to his sister’s home in Newark, where she allegedly kept them until they were retrieved by Laronde, who took them to his auto body shop, M Dolla, at 2241 Conner Street in the Eastchester neighborhood in the Bronx. Laronde allegedly “brushed” the serial numbers from the firearms using tools at his shop along with McLean. Over the course of the investigation, 17 defaced firearms were sold to an undercover NYPD detective in the vicinity of M Dolla.

Twenty-one firearms were recovered by ATF agents at Vilson’s home in Georgia when he was arrested. About 75 rounds of ammunition were recovered after a search of the M Dolla shop.

District Attorney Clark thanked Wiretap Specialist Samantha Urena of the Special Investigations Bureau, BXDA Detective Investigators Erica Cooke Cruz and Frank Mazzella, Senior Investigators Gregory Maloney and Brendan Hammond, Lieutenant Vincent Cantarella, Peter Holness, Deputy Chief of Detective Investigators and Frank Chiara, Chief of Detective Investigators for their work on the case. 

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Adam Conlin, James Garcia, and Corey Wooten, along with Sergeants Justin Del Monico and Mark Stevenson, of the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Atlanta Field Division, the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and the Newton County, GA Sheriff’s Office for their work on the investigation. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.