Five Arrested in Federal Gun Trafficking Scheme from North Carolina to DC
Five individuals face federal charges following a 13-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleging their involvement in a firearms trafficking scheme that moved dozens of weapons from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., and the National Capital Region. ATF agents executed warrants on October 20, 2026, resulting in four arrests in Maryland and one in Raleigh, North Carolina, as detailed in announcements from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
Federal Indictment Alleges Firearms Flowed From North Carolina to Washington
The joint enforcement operation was conducted under the Make DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force. According to federal authorities, the conspiracy involved co-conspirators supplying approximately 40 firearms across multiple states, including Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Saint Georges, Grenada. The 13-count indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to traffic firearms, firearms trafficking, and making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers.
“This operation exemplifies the commitment of our federal, state, and local partners working together under the Make DC Safe and Beautiful initiative,” U.S. Attorney Pirro stated. “Gun-running networks do not respect state lines, and neither does our determination to stop them.”
Defendants and Specific Charges Filed in Eastern District of North Carolina
The federal grand jury indictment names five specific defendants, detailing individual counts related to false statements, and conspiracy:
- Brian “B” Agee, 40, charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, six counts of firearms trafficking and aiding and abetting, and six counts of aiding and abetting the making of a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.
- Arnise Lecresha Young, 33, who holds a valid Special Police Officer license in the District of Columbia, charged with one count of conspiracy, six counts of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking, and six counts of aiding and abetting false statements.
- Frank “Fatboy” Rayvone Harris, 38, charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms.
- Antonique Whitaker, 34, who also holds a valid Special Police Officer license in the District of Columbia, charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking, and two counts of aiding and abetting false statements.
- Christian Shedetta Atkinson, 30, charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms and one count of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.
If convicted, the defendants face maximum penalties of 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy and trafficking offenses, alongside 10 years for making false statements to federally licensed dealers. Any final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge.
Law Enforcement Officials Detail Interagency Coordination and Impact
The investigation is led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with participation from the U.S. Marshals Service and the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.
A "conveyor belt of weapons" stretching from North Carolina to D.C. and beyond has been shut down after investigators uncovered an alleged gun trafficking network linked to drugs, robberies and even a homicide, federal officials announced Wednesday.#wjla pic.twitter.com/ShOCUMDJMm
When bad guys buy guns here and ship them up to our nation’s beautiful capital to foment unrest and mayhem, they threaten the safety of families and communities who live there, along with all of the eager citizens, families and kids, who save up to make the trip and visit the patriotic history and grandeur.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle emphasized that federal authorities will continue targeting sham purchases across Eastern North Carolina. Director Rob Cekada of the ATF reinforced that state lines will not protect individuals who traffic firearms to violent criminals, gang members, or prohibited persons. Associate Director of Operations Aaron Sawyer of the United States Marshals Service noted that every illegal firearm seized helps prevent future crimes and protect communities from victimization.
An indictment remains merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.