PHILADELPHIA, PA — Aaron Douglas, a 31-year-old resident of Philadelphia, has been sentenced to 7 and a half years in federal prison. This judgment was handed down on Tuesday by United States District Judge Mark A. Kearney, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against gun violence and illicit weapons distribution. Following his incarceration, Douglas will undergo three years of supervised release, as part of his sentence for unlawfully distributing firearms and possessing a firearm as a felon.
The case against Douglas stems from his activities between January and April of last year, during which he was found to have illegally obtained and sold three semi-automatic handguns within city limits. The firearms, identified as a 9mm Smith & Wesson Model SW9VE, a 9mm Beretta Model APX, and a 9mm Glock Model 47, were trafficked by Douglas, contributing to the proliferation of illegal guns in Philadelphia. A subsequent FBI search of Douglas’s North Philadelphia home unveiled a fourth firearm, a .45 caliber Glock Model 30 semi-automatic pistol, which Douglas was prohibited from possessing due to a prior conviction in 2015 for a similar offense.
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero emphasized the significance of removing illicit firearms from circulation, stating, “Every illegal gun taken off the street is a small victory in our fight against violent crime.” She highlighted the disregard individuals like Douglas have for the harm they inflict upon communities through the trafficking of firearms. Romero affirmed the commitment of her office, alongside law enforcement partners, to diligently combat the illegal gun trade, aiming to curtail gun violence and preserve lives.
The sentencing also echoes the broader law enforcement dedication to safeguarding neighborhoods from the scourge of illegally obtained weapons. Wayne A. Jacobs, the Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, pointed to the case as evidence of their “enduring commitment to making our neighborhoods safer”. “
Similarly, Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division, cited the collaborative effort to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of felons and dangerous criminals, underscoring the risks gun trafficking poses to public safety. “Gun trafficking puts our communities at risk. It is also a federal offense that can land you in prison for years,” said DeGree.
The successful prosecution of Aaron Douglas, led by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Miller, represents a collaborative triumph for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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