4 Philly Men Charged In 'Ghost Gun' Probe: PA Attorney General

Philadelphia PA

08 March, 2021

9:51 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — Four Philadelphia man have been arrested and charged in two separate cases involving "ghost guns," according to authorities. Attorney General Josh Shapiro Sunday said Najaye Davis, Malachi Matthews, Kenneth Manni, and Montague Coker, all of Philadelphia were recently arrested following two surveillance operations at the Morgantown Gun Show in Morgantown from Feb. 27 to Feb. 28. As a result of these investigations, authorities seized five fully assembled ghost guns, four 80 percent receiver kits, one 80 percent receiver, one Smith and Wesson revolver, extended magazines and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Ghost guns typically start as "80 percent receivers" that are often sold in kits without background checks. They can be easily and quickly put together, lack serial numbers so they cannot be traced, and, once fully assembled, can operate as fully functioning firearms. The AG's office said Davis, 19, purchased multiple 80 percent receiver ready-made gun kits with large amounts of cash at the Morgantown Gun Show on Saturday, Feb. 27. He and a co-conspirator were then seen leaving the venue driving eastbound towards Philadelphia. Based on their investigation, Office of Attorney General agents believed Davis was illegally making and selling ghost guns in Philadelphia. Davis is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a handgun on the streets of Philadelphia. As a result of their investigation, agents obtained a search warrant for Davis' residence in Philadelphia, which was executed on Friday, March 5. During the search, agents seized three fully functioning unserialized ghost guns, one 80 percent receiver, $8,600 in cash, additional firearm parts including trigger assemblies, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and multiple extended magazines both loaded and unloaded, authorities said. The investigation revealed that Davis was in a criminal enterprise that made and sold unserialized ghost guns on the streets of Philadelphia, making $500 on each sale, according to authorities. The AG's office also said on Sunday, Feb. 28, Matthews and Manni purchased four 80 percent receiver kits at the same gun show and left. The car was surveilled until the men arrived at a residence on 21st Street in Philadelphia, where agents suspected an illegal gun manufacturing and trafficking operation was taking place. According to the AG's office, on Tuesday, March 2, the Gun Violence Task Force and Organized Crime agents executed a search warrant and recovered: four 80 percent receiver ready-made gun kits, two fully assembled unserialized ghost guns, one Smith and Wesson revolver, two boxes of ammunition, multiple magazines, approximately thirteen packets of suspected fentanyl, two digital scales, and a drill suspected to be used in the making and assembly of fully functioning ghost guns. Matthews, Manni, and Coker were on site at the "build house" during the execution of the search warrant. Coker and Matthews attempted to flee through the roof of the premises, authorities said. Both Coker and Matthews are previously convicted felons and considered Persons Not To Possess a Firearm, according to authorities. Matthews, Manni and Coker were arrested that day. Matthews and Coker are both being charged with three counts each of violation of the uniform firearms act. Manni is being charged with possession of a controlled substance, suspected to be fentanyl, and other violations of the uniform firearms act. These cases are being prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Gun Violence Task Force. Davis was arrested on Friday, March 5, and is being charged with six counts of illegal transfer of a firearm, one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of conspiracy. This case is being prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force.