SOUTH CAROLINA MAN FACING NINE YEARS IN PRISON FOR ILLEGAL GUN TRAFFICKING

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a South Carolina man is facing a nine year prison term for illegally selling firearms to undercover detectives. Daniel Blanding, 26, of Summerton, South Carolina pled guilty to five counts of Criminal sale of a firearm in the 3rd degree and two counts of Criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree. Both charges are Class D felony offenses. Blanding pled guilty during his trial following several days of testimony by one of the undercover detectives involved in the investigation.

State Supreme Court Justice David Stadtmauer set sentencing for Wednesday, March 1, 2006 in Part T-19 and has indicated that he will impose a term of nine years imprisonment.

Blanding, in pleading guilty, admitted selling eleven illegal firearms to undercover detectives on five separate occasions on January 28, 2004, April 14, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 3, 2004 and June 9, 2004. The firearms included an SKS assault rifle, HiPoint 9 MM and .380 caliber semi-automatic pistols, H&R Magnum .32 caliber revolvers and a Taurus .44 caliber revolver. All were sidewalk transactions at various locations.

Two co-defendants, who had limited involvement in the illegal gun sales were also convicted after pleading guilty to one count of Criminal sale of a firearm in the 3rd degree. South Carolina residents Curtis Doctor, 28, and Quincey Jackson, 21, are also scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2006 in Part T-19. Judge Stadtmauer has indicated that Doctor will be sentenced to 5 years probation while Jackson is to serve a six month jail term and five years of probation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Donald Levin and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Clark of the Investigations Division.