Five arrested in alleged gun trafficking scheme from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Five people have been arrested and federally charged in connection with an alleged firearms trafficking operation that moved dozens of guns from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., and other locations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina returned a 13-count indictment charging the defendants with offenses including conspiracy to traffic firearms, firearms trafficking and making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers.

According to federal officials, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed five arrest warrants Tuesday, Oct. 20. Four defendants were arrested in Maryland, while one was arrested in Raleigh.

Investigators allege the group was involved in trafficking approximately 40 firearms from North Carolina to recipients in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Saint Georges, Grenada.

The indictment names five defendants:

• Brian “B” Agee, 40: Charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms, six counts of firearms trafficking and aiding and abetting, and six counts of aiding and abetting false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers.
• Arnise Lecresha Young, 33: Charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms, six counts of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking and six counts of aiding and abetting false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers.
• Frank “Fatboy” Rayvone Harris, 38: Charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms.
• Antonique Whitaker, 34: Charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms, two counts of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking and two counts of aiding and abetting false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers.
• Christian Shedetta Atkinson, 30: Charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms and one count of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

Federal prosecutors said Young and Whitaker hold valid special police officer licenses in Washington, D.C.

The arrests were conducted as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, a federal initiative involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle for the Eastern District of North Carolina said the investigation focused on alleged illegal firearm purchases and trafficking originating in the state.

“Working with ATF and our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate these schemes and prosecute those who violate federal law. If you are making sham purchases to illegally run guns in Eastern North Carolina, we will find you and prosecute you,” Boyle said.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia also addressed the multi-state investigation.

“Gun-running networks do not respect state lines, and neither does our determination to stop them,” Pirro said.

If convicted, the defendants face maximum penalties of 15 years in federal prison for firearms trafficking and conspiracy offenses and 10 years for making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers.

Actual sentences, if convictions occur, would be determined by a federal judge based on sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.

The ATF is leading the investigation.