10 charged with running gun trafficking ring in NYC area

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Authorities say they have busted an illegal gun smuggling ring that netted more 90 guns over a six month period.

The guns came from different states and were trafficked through the Bronx.

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Police Commissioner William Bratton announced the arrests and indictments of nine alleged members and associates of the violent "Bloods" street gang on charges they operated a high-volume ring.

The weapons were allegedly purchased on New York City streets, but also in Port Chester, N.Y., Maine and Connecticut for resale in New York City by ring members.

Some of the guns bought in Port Chester, N.Y. and Stamford, Conn., were transported to the city on Metro North trains. The weapons were resold in New York City for several times their original price, authorities say.

On the street he's known as "Wobbles."

Everywhere else he's known as William Soler of the Bronx.

Prosecutors say the 33-year-old served as the ringleader of a high-volume gun trafficking ring that put dozens of illegal weapons on the streets of New York.

"Guns like this that are run in from out of state and sold by criminal gangs are the same kinds of guns. In fact, one followed the exact same pattern. The gun used to kill Officer Brian Moore was a gun purchased in a similar way," New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.

Eight of the alleged gun traffickers appeared in Bronx Criminal Court Wednesday afternoon. Authorities arrested them following a joint investigation between the Attorney General's office and the NYPD.

The investigation, called "Operation Redrum," started last summer. Undercover detectives purchased 93 guns from the suspects, ranging from 22-calibre pistols to assault weapons.

"The guns were clearly designed for criminal use. Eleven of them had their serial numbers filed off and several were obviously illegal guns under NY's strict gun control laws. There were brought in from states where the laws are looser," Schneiderman said.

Soler was also charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, for allegedly plotting to kill a rival gang member.

If convicted, the lead defendants, Soler, Ronald Snyder Princesequan Hunter, and Cadeim Beckford, face up to 25 years in prison on the top count, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree. A tenth defendant, Erick Ransom, was separately indicted for the murder conspiracy. He also faces up to 25 years behind bars.