Federal authorities have dismantled an alleged firearms trafficking ring that prosecutors say funneled dozens of semi-automatic rifles from Georgia to Chicago street gangs, with some of the weapons later linked to a juvenile murder and other violent crimes.

Charges and Investigation

Five people were charged in a 23-count federal indictment unsealed this month in the Middle District of Georgia following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.

According to court documents, Edmond is allegedly a member of the Chicago-based Black Disciples gang and an associate of another Chicago street gang known as the Conservative Vice Lords. Prosecutors allege Edmond purchased dozens of firearms from Georgia gun stores between 2020 and 2021, including at least 22 firearms over a 10-month period.

Some of those firearms were allegedly converted into fully automatic weapons and later used in multiple violent crimes, according to the indictment. Authorities said police recovered 20 firearms allegedly purchased by Edmond in three states between 2021 and 2026.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.