Illegal Firearms And Drug Dealer Admits Selling At Least 100 Guns To Criminals In The Camden, NJ Area Guns Originated From Straw And Gun Show Purchases In Ohio And Virginia

CAMDEN, N.J. - Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and Paul J. Fishman, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced a Woodlynne, N.J., man today admitted - as part of his guilty plea to federal firearms and drug distribution charges - to selling illegally to drug dealers and other criminals in the Camden area at least 100 guns he purchased with cash from other illicit firearms dealers.

Terrance Laboo, aka “Terrance Reeves,” 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count each of dealing firearms without a license, conspiracy to deal in firearms without a federal firearms license, possession of firearms by a convicted felon and distribution of PCP.
 
“Today Terrance Laboo admitted he poisoned the streets of Camden with dangerous drugs and deadly weapons,” said U.S. Attorney Fishman. “Criminals who exploit the laws of other states to bring guns into New Jersey fuel a culture of violence that destroys communities and lives.”

“We will continue to be relentless in the pursuit of anyone who aims to put guns in the hands of criminals,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon.

According to documents filed in this and related cases and statements made in court:

Laboo admitted that between December 2009 and September 2011, he sold or brokered the sale of at least 100 handguns that he purchased with cash from illegal gun distributors with out-of-state connections.

Laboo obtained many of the weapons from Joshua Jackson, aka “Apple,” aka “Trent,” 33, of Willingboro, N.J., and Columbus, Ohio. Jackson obtained most of the firearms through purchases at gun shows from unlicensed gun sellers who were not subject to background checks. Some of the firearms also were purchased at Ohio gun stores by straw purchasers working for Jackson, who then transported the handguns to New Jersey from Ohio and resold them to Laboo and others in the Camden area. Laboo admitted he knew he was buying guns that came illegally from Ohio and Virginia.
 
At the time of the gun sales, Laboo acknowledged, he was distributing PCP and cocaine from the corner of 4th and Chestnut Streets in Camden. Laboo admitted he sold, directed or brokered the sale of many of the firearms to other drug dealers in southern New Jersey.
 
The illegal firearms dealing count and the conspiracy count to which Laboo pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The possession of firearms by a convicted felon count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The distribution of a controlled (PCP) count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2014.

Jackson is charged with related charges in a separate complaint, which remains pending.
 
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski; and ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cannon, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk. Fishman additionally credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Hanko in Philadelphia; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief J. Scott Thomson; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent, for their support.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Askin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
 
As for Jackson, the charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.