Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Gun Trafficking Ring Began On Virginia's Eastern Shore

EASTVILLE — Three Northampton County men have been charged in New Jersey with second-degree conspiracy and other offenses related to a large gun trafficking network.

Charged are Jonathan Johnson, 28, of Cape Charles, Bobby Lee Henderson, 24, of Townsend, and Larry Nottingham, 28, of Eastville, according to the New Jersey attorney general’s office.

The three men were charged in connection with indictments against Trayle Beasley, 29, of Trenton, N.J., who police say led a network that trafficked guns from the Eastern Shore, including firearms recovered in connection with several homicide and narcotics investigations.

The offense is a first-degree crime and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Beasley grew up in New Jersey and on the Eastern Shore, reports indicate.
Amoi Smith, 21, of Cranbury, N.J., was also charged and faces a second-degree conspiracy charge, along with the four others.

Smith allegedly accompanied Beasley to the Shore to acquire guns and the two are charged in a pending indictment in connection with a New Jersey armed robbery last year, officials said.

Locally, Johnson would allegedly obtain guns for Beasley or arrange meetings for him to purchase guns locally, for cash, marijuana or other narcotics. Henderson and Nottingham allegedly sold guns that Beasley transported or attempted to transport to New Jersey.

Beasley is being held in the Mercer County, N.J., Jail with bail set at $250,000 cash. Arrest warrants were issued for the other four defendants in connection with the indictment.

Second-degree crimes are punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a $150,000 fine. In addition to the second-degree conspiracy count against all five defendants, Beasley and Johnson also face several other second-degree counts, and Smith and Henderson each face one second-degree count of either transportation or attempted transportation of a firearm into New Jersey for unlawful sale or transfer.

Beasley and Nottingham are charged with fourth-degree unlawful disposition of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Beasley is charged with four counts, and Nottingham with one.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the State Police – ATF Joint Firearms Task Force, Trenton Police Department and several other New Jersey police departments and Eastern Shore Drug Task Force.

The Eastern Shore Drug Task Force is a partnership of Virginia State Police, the Northampton Sheriff’s Department and the Accomack Sheriff’s Department.
Johnson in May was charged with a federal offense of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilos of cocaine.

www.delmarvanow.com

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Henderson has never been to NJ a day in his life so I really have to wonder where the hell these people are getting their information from, because any check into his work history, school history and living history would be a solid alibi. This is the problem with the justice system and police department today. These idiots have NO real common sense when they're conducting an investigation.

Anonymous said...

Oh so I supposed those big bad police just pulled Henderson's name out of the air and decided to arrest him????

No where does it say Henderson's been to NJ only that he sold guns that were transported to NJ by some clown named Beasley.

And who cares about his work and school history-a good work and school history doesn't mean you can't still be a criminal!!!! And as far as his "living history" he's probably just got everyone fooled!!!

Anonymous said...

I must agree..who cares what he any of them did in school. I must say some people don't read or is that just the lower part of Northampton County in the Bay view area they can't read to well. It stated he was selling the weapons that were suppose to go to N.J. Not that Henderson had been to N.J. ESVA people. They all deserve what they are going to get

jmmb said...

Anon 1:30 pm. I don't care if he's been to college and has a degree. Henderson and the rest of the crew have been caught breaking the law. It is because of these people that the streets in America are no longer safe......What they have done says alot for the family that loves them. Regardless of work history, school and living history they have no respect for the fellow man, such as sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents.......
I don't care where they have been. I care where they have been, New Jersey or not. I hope they are going to jail for a long time.

Anon 11:09
Who were you referring to in the last sentence of your comment? I happen to be a ESVA "people" and I sure would hate for this trash to be in my area.