A pair of brothers used Chinatown buses and Uber cars to smuggle guns from South Carolina to areas around the Big Apple, officials said on Wednesday.
Shavar Stuckey, 31, and Levon Jackson, 30, who are half-brothers, are both facing a 203-count indictment that includes charges of fourth-degree conspiracy and first, second and third-degree criminal weapons sales, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Devon Heatley, 32, and South Carolina residents Troy Allen, 32, Shakial Shephard, 22, and Liq’uel Robinson, 19, are also facing multiple charges for allegedly supplying the firearms for Stuckey and Jackson to sell, said the DA’s office.
The South Carolina men and Heatley would purchase the guns from firearms retailers in the South then bring them to New York City by buses they would take to Chinatown, according to the indictment Stuckey and Jackson would then bring them up to Harlem and the Bronx in cabs and Ubers.
“The South Carolina residents would allegedly transport the guns to Stuckey and Jackson usually via the Chinatown bus lines and in doing so endangering the passengers, the drivers and the residents in Chinatown alike,” said Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance. “After they arrived in Lower Manhattan, it’s alleged they would hail an Uber or take a subway uptown to Stuckey and Jackson.”
Between December of 2015 and March of this year, the pair sold the undercover officer 105 guns – including 75 semi-automatic pistols, 21 revolvers, 5 assault rifles, and 4 shotguns. Most of these sales took place in the detective’s car. The officer paid between $800 and $2,000 for each gun.
“I don’t know what you can say except its incredible that you can find these,” Vance said.
Of the 105 guns, 20 were reported stolen, Vance said.
“Those who traffic illegal guns to New York City will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “Our detectives continue to disrupt the flow of illegal guns into New York, and with the district attorney’s office bring the most rigorous charges.”
Both Stuckey and Jackson are being held without bail, officials said. Hinkley’s bail was set at $5,000 bond or $250,000 cash. All three are due in court on June 20.
The South Carolina defendants are awaiting extradition.