THREE PEOPLE CONVICTED OF WEAPONS CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR ROLES IN A VIRGINIA BASED GUN RING THAT FLOODED A BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD WITH ILLEGAL HANDGUNS AND HIGH POWERED ASSAULT WEAPONS

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that three Virginia residents have been convicted of weapons charges in connection with a gun ring that purchased firearms in the state of Virginia for re-sale to buyers in the vicinity of the Gun Hill Housing Projects. The ring was described as a major supplier of guns, ranging from 38 caliber "Saturday Night Special" handguns to deadly Tech 22 caliber assault weapons.

Lerone Finley, 34, and Calvin Bailey, 21, both of Newport News, Virginia pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree, a Class D violent felony offense. Letisha Washington, 20, of Troy, Virginia pled guilty to Criminal Sale of a Weapon in the 3rd degree, a Class D non-violent felony offense.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett set sentencing for Washington on Friday, November 22, 2002 in Part M60. Under terms of the plea agreement Washington will receive a term of up to 4 months in jail and five years probation. Sentencing for Finley and Bailey has been set for Thursday, October 17, 2002 in Part M60. Justice Barrett said he would sentence Finely to four years imprisonment and three years supervision after his release. Bailey is to receive a sentence of two years imprisonment and three years of post release supervision.

The defendants were taken into custody following a series of gun purchases by undercover detectives. The weapons were delivered to an apartment at the Gun Hill Projects, rented rooms at motels in the area and the parking lot of a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. The transactions occurred on an average of once a week between April 1, 2001 and August 28, 2001. The guns would be purchased in Virginia by relatives and friends of the defendants and then driven to the Bronx for delivery. Virginia law allows citizens to buy one firearm a month, after a 24 hours waiting period, for a total of Twelve guns per person per year.

The alleged leaders of the gun running ring Shawn Pettaway, 30, of Hampton, Virginia and Phenroy Day Jr., 25, of Newport News, Virginia are still awaiting trial.

The arrests were the result of a five month long joint investigation with the New York City Police Department. This investigation was financed in part by a $100,000 special state grant secured with the assistance of State Senator Guy Velella to provide select district attorneys’ offices with resources specifically earmarked to prosecute gun crimes.

Assistant District Attorney Louis Feuchtbaum, of the Investigations Division’s Rackets Bureau, is prosecuting the cases against these defendants.