Alvin Demar and Joshua Carter have been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking dozens of firearms that were later recovered from crime scenes in multiple states and Canada. Jamal Plunkett was sentenced for possessing one of the trafficked firearms.
“Firearm traffickers present an acute and dangerous threat to communities within and outside our district,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The sentencing of these defendants is an example of our office’s unwavering commitment to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle gun trafficking operations, and to prosecute those who jeopardize the wellbeing of our communities by funneling firearms to criminals.”
“Identifying and disrupting firearms trafficking is one of ATF’s key missions,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “These convictions and subsequent sentences send a clear message that firearm trafficking and the illegal possession and use of firearms will not be tolerated.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, between July 2021 and January 2022, Alvin Demar, a convicted felon with convictions for drug trafficking and aggravated robbery, paid individuals, including Joshua Carter, to straw purchase dozens of handguns in the metro Atlanta area. Demar then sold the straw-purchased weapons to other people who also trafficked them or used them in additional crimes.
The guns purchased and sold by Carter and Demar were recovered from crime scenes in Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; the District of Columbia; Gainesville, Georgia; French Camp, California; Edmonton, Canada; and Toronto, Canada. Some of the firearms were used in shootings before they were confiscated by law enforcement. For example, in November 2021, Carter purchased a Glock pistol that was linked to three shootings in Atlanta. Carter also purchased a Ruger pistol equipped with an extended magazine; within two months of the purchase, Jamal Plunkett stole this pistol as a convicted felon and discharged it 17 times in Gainesville.
Demar also illegally possessed numerous firearms for his own use. In December 2019, he was arrested by Atlanta police officers after a loaded Glock pistol was found in his vehicle. In November 2022, federal agents found another loaded Glock pistol in Demar’s bedroom along with a USAS-12 semiautomatic shotgun from his garage.
Alvin Marvin Demar (47) of Decatur was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross to 15 years in prison followed by three years supervised release after being convicted on multiple charges including possession of an unregistered destructive device.
Joshua Carter (29) of McDonough received three years imprisonment followed by two years supervised release from Judge Ross after pleading guilty on January 23rd.
Jamal Plunkett (36) from Snellville was sentenced separately on October 10th last year by U.S District Judge Steve C Jones receiving four years three months incarceration followed up with three-year supervised release term post-conviction plea made back May19th concerning stolen firearm possession charge brought against him earlier same year
This case underwent investigation led primarily through Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives agency supported additionally via DeKalb County Police Department alongside Gainesville Police Department respectively involved throughout proceedings
Assistant US Attorney Theodore S Hertzberg prosecuted this case under auspices Project Safe Neighborhoods program aimed at reducing violent criminal activities particularly gun-related incidents across various communities nationwide
Further inquiries directed towards USAO Public Affairs Office reachable via email address provided above alternatively telephone contact listed accordingly
For more information visit official website Northern District Georgia's USAO accessible online