Fort Campbell soldiers’ side gig is gun running to Chicago

| May 12, 2021

These soldiers are entrepreneurs you see. Now, if only someone had made it illegal to do any of this. Chicago clearly needs more gun laws. Army Times reports;

Chicago gun pipeline traced to three Fort Campbell soldiers

Three enlisted soldiers at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, were arrested Tuesday by ATF and Army CID special agents after they allegedly purchased dozens of guns to be used on the streets of Chicago, including pistols found at a mass shooting that left one person dead and several others wounded earlier this year.

Demarcus Adams, 21; Jarius Brunson, 22; and Brandon Miller, 22, were each charged with transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident; making false statements during the purchase of a firearm; engaging in the business without a firearms license; wire fraud; money laundering; and conspiracy to commit Title 18 offenses, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Glock and Taurus pistols recovered from the scene of a fatal March 26 shooting in Chicago’s Southwest Side were traced back to purchases made by the three soldiers from licensed dealers in the area around Clarksville, Tennessee, according to the complaint signed by an ATF agent.

Firearm transaction records showed that since September 2019, the trio purchased 91 guns from multiple dealers in the area around Fort Campbell, including towns in Kentucky and Tennessee, the complaint stated.

The majority of the guns were purchased in the last five months. After the firearms were secured, Miller would provide them to his associates in Chicago, the complaint stated.

ATF agents and Chicago police interviewed Adams at a Fort Campbell CID office April 28. Authorities learned that Adams lived off-post with Miller at a Clarksville home.

Adams was read his Miranda rights before he told police that Miller would give him money or electronic funds through Cash App to purchase the firearms. Miller would then take the guns to Chicago and sell them on the street, Adams told police, according to the complaint.

Adams consented to a search of his phone, which revealed a series of text messages between Adams, Miller and Brunson discussing the sales of guns, what phone apps to use for payments and where to go for purchases.

“Fat boy u better take out a lil loan they want a lot of guns,” Miller told Adams in one exchange on March 1.

ATF agents executed a federal search warrant at Miller and Adams’ Clarksville home April 28 — the same day of the initial interview.

The agents recovered 49 empty gun cases there, at least four of which were matched to firearms recovered by Chicago police at the scene of recent shootings and homicides, according to the complaint.

ATF agents obtained a search warrant for Miller’s phone and saw a text exchange in which he and Brunson shared pictures of handguns and discussed prices.

“Glock 33 .357 for 550 plus tax,” Brunson told Miller in April. “I’m fina Apple Pay u,” Miller responded later, using a slang term that means “about to do.”

Miller would also text with a person who used a Chicago area code phone number. The person’s name was not listed in the complaint. Miller and the unidentified person discussed a trip to Chicago, gas prices and the “risk” involved in driving with guns and ammunition.

“We gotta hold this shit together ima still play the back role g I ain’t never turning my back on gang,” Miller told the unidentified person April 7. “We gone win this *war* we losing the battle but this a marathon not a race.”

On April 15, Miller texted the Chicago phone number a picture showing a stack of handgun cases with the caption, “Ain’t even half.” The stack was similar to the one ATF agents recovered during the April 28 search, the complaint stated.

The three soldiers are expected to appear before a U.S. judge in Nashville late Tuesday. If convicted, the men face up to 20 years in prison.

“I can confirm that the Soldiers involved in the case are assigned to Fort Campbell,” said 101st Airborne Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Kari McEwen. “We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities in this investigation.”

McEwen did not immediately have the soldiers’ service records available, and attorneys for the accused trio were not yet listed Tuesday evening.

Category: "Teh Stoopid", Army, Crime, Guns, Shitbags

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Hack Stone

Give them a little credit. They needed some extra cash, but at least they didn’t try to rope their fellow troops into a Multi Level Marketing scheme.

Ret_25X

well, well, well….proof of extremist activity in the Army and what do we hear from the crybullies?

Crickets…

Enlist gang members, get a gang related Army.

There really is only one way we will deal with our gang and soyboi problem…

KoB

Notice there was no mug shot of the perps either? Hmmmm

Prolly would be a fairly nice score on the Ol’ Whizz Wheel…’specially with the addition of a few DAMs (Dumb Ass Moves), ie, electronic and paper trails, not removing serial numbers, being a dumbass in general…ect ect.

AW1 Rod

Naming convention makes mug shots largely unnecessary.

Fyrfighter

Yeah, I’m gonna bet “Demarcus ” isn’t amish… and yeah I doubt the racist Sec Def will do a damn thing about this kind of extremism.. Doesn’t fit the narrative / agenda I guess

Slug 'em

Didn’t I read recently that Illinois had over 4 million background checks for 2021 already. How many of them involved lying on the ATF forms?

Were they prosecuted?

[Edited to remove PII -Mason]

5JC

When I was at Carson the Post Reenlistment NCO (E7) was running guns to Chicago for his gang. Good to see the next generation stepping up.

Anonymous

Like the post SHARP at Ft Hood running a prostitution ring.

MI Ranger

Don’t these kids watch any of those crime dramas? Guns have serial numbers, that you sign for when you buy a gun from a dealer…no matter how many buddies it passes through back in Chi’town it still comes back to you. If they find two with your name on it at the scene of a crime they are going to start asking questions.

I’m waiting for the enterprising individual to start making his own lowers and start shipping them back. According to Federal testimony, the Department of Justice seized 23,000 “Ghost Guns” in the last five years, 395 of which were linked to a crime. Though this is barely a few rain drops in the ocean, I am just waiting for the Main Stream Media to pick up on the fact that it is up 200% from previous years. Note that the statistic said, linked to a crime, because they also note that 0 were used in a crime. I am only tracking the one crack head in California who shot at his neighbors because they called the Sheriff on him shooting at all hours in his back yard (turned out he was a felon and could not legally posses a gun). I am sure there are more.

rgr769

Doing so is illegal according to the feds and the CA DOJ. They prosecuted such an enterprising fellow a couple of years ago in Commiefornia who was doing exactly that. He is likely in the federal pound now. As I understand it, the lower must be completed by the owner, and it is a federal felony to transfer the lower or the completed weapon, which has no serial number, to another person.

Anonymous

Yup, gotta make your own 80% doohicky into a 100% one.

David

I would be curious how many 80% receivers have been sold in total. Find it hard to believe there have been so many that 23000 would have been linked. And how linked? A gangbanger’s sister’s ex-boyfriend’s cousin?

USMCMSgt (Ret)

To politicians and the MSM, “ghost guns” likely includes those firearms that have had the serial numbers removed.

I’ve yet to hear any news story that reports a “real” ghost gun (firearms that lack commercial serial numbers) was used in the commission of a mass shooting. But then again, that doesn’t fit the narrative that’s being pushed.

5JC

It’s truthful narrative. Not just guns either, unlicensed suppressors are getting popular as well. Those cases you have never heard about where someone who is ineligible to own a firearm commits mass murder after making their own gun is actually a thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Tehama_Reserve_shootings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Santa_Monica_shooting

https://www.thetrace.org/2019/11/santa-clarita-school-shooting-ghost-gun/

You will notice this is mostly happening in California. This is because California doesn’t allow private party sales of firearms. They also make it more difficult to steal firearms as well. But there is fast growing support industry to make your own guns. I have seen estimates of 5-6K guns a day being made currently just in California. If true, again a very small percentage of guns being used unlawfully but a small percentage of 5K is a lot.

Yet another lesson on why we can’t have nice things.

rgr769

The people who graduate the FBI academy in the bottom of their class end up in the ATF or DEA. If they say 395 were “linked to a crime” out of 23,000 seized, you can bet the crime was de minimus. What crimes? Posession of a couple of ounces of weed? A traffic violation? Drunk in public; DUI? Remember this info is from the people that gave us Operation Fast and Furious, and then they lied about it, under oath by no less than the Attorney General of the U.S., among others. Only 395 just “linked to a crime” out of 23K guns looks like quite a stretch.

5JC

According to the DOJ the 325 were either “Homicide or attempted Homicide”. There were more than 23,000 guns seized at crime scenes.

Seems to be a lot of skepticism about the whole ghost guns thing. It’s a tiny part of the US gun trade but is starting to create outsized problems. They are becoming quite popular with the South of the Border Gangs. Gang members in the country illegally can’t buy guns but the more organized gangs prefer a reliable supply of higher quality guns. It is harder to buy product from the military in the US than in Mexico or Guatemala.

Fyrfighter

Yeah, Biden is coming for our guns for sure. No surprise at all that he’s pushing this crap. Buy your lowers now while you can!

USAFRetired

How many of that 23K and 395 were “Ghost Guns” and how many were normal firearms that had their serial number removed/obliterated?

rgr769

ATF and DOJ don’t want you to know that data.

Only Army Mom

Obviously, a problem with extremists in the military /sarc.

“here’s the proof that legally purchased guns were used in multiple, probably dozens of mass shootings” – That was said in all seriousness.

The fact the guns were not legally purchased (straw man), were then illegally transported, sold (illegally) to those who are not legally allowed to have a gun, used (illegally) in the commission of crimes, means nothing.

In a moment of profound stupidity, thinking I was speaking with an educated adult, I said, “tell me, what new gun law would have prevented those intent on breaking the law from doing any of this? And you’re right about extremists in the military, but I don’t think these dirt bags fit the demographic you mean”

You guessed the answer…ban all guns. And we don’t know the race of those involved.

Right. Because the Proud Boys and KKK have their strongholds on the South and West sides of Chicago.

5JC

I am not sure what you mean by “fitting a demographic”. If you think being a Proud Boy or whatever means you can’t be also be a gang leader, a shitbag soldier, have ghost guns and all kinds of illegal goodies well….

https://www.thegazette.com/crime-courts/proud-boys-member-sentenced-to-30-years-for-distributing-cocaine-and-possessing-firearms-in-cedar-ra/

rgr769

Well, one can find shitbags everywhere; thus, we will find them in every organization, including the military and veterans. This is a proven fact every year. I am reasonably certain we have a few shitbags regularly reading this site that are military or ex-military. All I can say is at least these three low IQ soldiers weren’t combat infantrymen, the demographic this site was created for by Jonn Lilyea.

rgr769

And as proof of their low IQ’s, I cite that they kept all the gun boxes, which undoubtedly show the serial numbers for the many guns they purchased. Those boxes and the Form 4473’s will be exhibits A and B for each count of these federal crimes they will be charged with. After indictment, they will likely plead out, as they have no defense. The only question is whether the Army will court martial them.

5JC

I think reading their texts is proof enough of how stupid they are. Have to wonder who the recruiter paid to take the ASVAB for them.

The Army should discharge them as soon as they are in Federal Custody for more than 30 days. If they want to pursue charges as well it seems a lot of money spent for not much payoff.

rgr769

Yes, all three will likely end up in the federal pound for at least ten years, after they complete 75% of their sentences. Their lawers will likely try to minimized the number of counts they will plead to, since each firearm they no longer possess and can be traced to another state will be a separate offense. According to the article, the feds seized 49 empty gun boxes.

Claw

Almost not worth waking up the Whiz Wheel®™ from it’s self induced stupor, cause the DAM (Dumb Ass Move) scores don’t even break the triple digit level./s

Anyway, here they are:

Adams – 84 Brunson – 88 Miller – 72

MarineDad61

Claw,
And a response for The Three Dumbshits, from Mrs. Forman herself…

Roh-Dog

That poor gen 2 Glock did nothing wrong!
I will be more than happy to give it a home, if it’s a .40 I’ll gladly pay 20% over book.
Ball’s in your court, fedboi.

I’d say these enterprising young fellows shoulda done export sales with a protection stipend to the usual suspects and woulda been ok, but hometown oneway loyalties gott’em f’ed up.

Dustoff

” If convicted, the men face up to 20 years in prison”
These (soon to be former) Screaming Eagles truly have a Rendezvous with Destiny. ( Not the Stripper either)

A Proud Infidel®™

They-gonna be going *WEEEEEEEEEE, WEEEEEE* in the showers!

President Elect Toxic Deplorable Racist SAH Neanderthal B Woodman Domestic Violent Extremist SuperStraight

Two of those pistols (upper right, lower left) look like High Points. Really?
Not a bad gun for a bedside table (I have one), but not something I’d want to carry.

I think I’d pass all around on the HiPoint but if you are going to carry a full line of products you need to have product at every price point.

Around here a “Dealer Starter Kit” is a HiPoint, $200-300 in cash, a 2001 Impala with no tags, and a few bags of dope. People with dreams have to start somewhere.

President Elect Toxic Deplorable Racist SAH Neanderthal B Woodman Domestic Violent Extremist SuperStraight

You’re right. Low level employees start at the bottom. And that means HiPoints. But is there any way to put those on a sling, or something similar, to carry them. As far as I know, there’s no holster made for them (bet’cha not even generic). And to put them in a belt would just drag the pants down to the ankles.

They look heavier than my Mauser C96 broomhandle, and twice as ugly.

I ended up with a high-point 9mm rifle when a friend couldn’t repay a loan. It’s in a case with a note that says “DO NOT TRY TO SHOOT THIS PIECE OF SCHIFF”.Shoddiest made weapon I ever put my hands on. I’m not sure how someone as stupid as these turds got in the military. Enjoy your time in prison boys,you earned it.

Poetrooper

From the article: “Brunson is a unit supply specialist, Adams is a signal support systems specialist and Miller is a fire control specialist, McEwen said.”

Truly the E-4 Mafia…

Roh-Dog

Any word on the Union of Concerned NSDM Awardees picking up lawer (sic) fees?
The Mafia’s coffers have been overdrawn since two paydays ago, still paying off those 24% APR auto loans from 2 years ago.

A Proud Infidel®™

And they’re just the street level ones that got caught!

Poetrooper

As ol’ Poe has mentioned here before, gangs at Fort Campbell in the 101st are nothing new. Back in the early 1960’s we had them in the division, both black gangs from Chicago and Detroit and Hispanic gangs from Los Angeles.

MarineDad61

The big webpage question…
At hearings, trial, or sentencing….
Will any of these idiots try to pull Stolen Valor claims out of their ass?

rgr769

Maybe the claim of the PTS of D from being extreme REMF’s.

MarineDad61

rgr769,
lol
I was thinking more like the famous County Sheriff race in Texas,
Ranger or other BS claims, along with
“I took a bullet for my country.”

Mustang Major

I bet these clowns would steal an M4 if they could get their hands on one.

Throw away the key.

JustALurkinAround

I wish I was a team leader, or squad leader, or PSG, or 1SG, or CSM, of one of these Audie Murphy members. I’d ride their accomplishments to a 1/1.

Berliner

These two were not too bright… Paperwork got them.

Stationed 6 years in Chicago back in the late 70’s. A common occurrence back then was looting the trains in the railyard as cars are switched. Lots of guns went by train from the manufacturers. Things haven’t changed per this video from June 2020:

penguinman000

I would be ok with Danny Deevering them if found guilty. Active duty personnel running guns to known criminal organizations in large numbers is repugnant. Slightly better than child sexual trafficking but repugnant none the less.