New Jersey Man Sentenced for Trafficking Firearms

Robert Dorsey, a 47-year-old man from New Jersey, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for trafficking firearms, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson for the District of Delaware. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews pronounced the sentence following Dorsey's illegal sales of four firearms to a law enforcement informant in September and October 2023. The firearms included a "ghost gun" and a weapon that had been stolen just a month prior to the sale, raising concerns about their potential use in violent crimes.

Dorsey, who identified himself as the vice president of a Wilmington, Delaware chapter of the Thunderguards Motorcycle Club, engaged in the illegal sale of both firearms and drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin. Over the course of the investigation, he sold drugs and firearms in overlapping transactions, indicating a dangerous intertwining of illegal activities. The investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with support from various state and local police agencies.

Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson emphasized the serious threat that firearms trafficking poses to public safety, particularly through the distribution of privately made firearms and stolen guns. She highlighted the crucial role played by the ATF and local law enforcement in disrupting these illegal activities, underscoring the importance of ensuring that individuals prohibited from possessing firearms do not gain access to deadly weapons.

The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies have proven essential in tackling violent crime and illegal firearm trafficking. ATF Special Agent in Charge LC Cheeks Jr. praised the partnerships fostered among local, state, and federal agencies to address these issues. He affirmed the ATF's commitment to pursuing those who engage in the unlawful possession and use of firearms for violent offenses.

This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding illegal firearms trafficking and drug sales. The successful prosecution of individuals like Dorsey highlights the diligence of law enforcement in safeguarding communities and holding criminals accountable for their actions.