Camden County, NJ, Man Admits Role in Illegal Sale of 16 Guns

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man today admitted to selling 16 guns without a license and illegally possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Ammie Steward, a/k/a "Beav," a/k/a "B," 37, of Pennsauken, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an Information charging him with one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between May 2012 and August 15, 2012, Steward sold 16 firearms on nine separate occasions for profit and without a license. The 16 firearms included 12 pistols and two rifles.

Steward, a previously convicted felon, sold them to a witness cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Steward also admitted to being present when the serial numbers on 14 of the 16 guns were obliterated using a power tool. A number of the firearms were sold along with magazines and seven of the guns were sold along with high capacity magazines. On at least one occasion, Steward sold a firearm (a Kel Tec PLR-16 .223 caliber pistol) along with a box of ammunition. Steward also sold a rifle that contained a bayonet. All 16 weapons are now in the custody of law enforcement.

The illegal dealing count to which Steward pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2013.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the ATF, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Donald J. Soranno, with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea. He also thanked the Pennsauken Police Department, under the direction of Chief John J. Coffey. The government is represented