Three Syracuse men have pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges tied to a trafficking ring that put illegal weapons into the hands of a known felon, prosecutors said this week.
Erik Burch, 30, Khalid Richardson, 30, and Lamar Stanford, 33, each admitted to possessing or selling firearms despite being prohibited due to prior felony convictions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York announced the pleas Tuesday.
Richardson confessed to selling guns to a convicted felon on four occasions in 2022, and admitted obtaining weapons from Burch and Stanford for two of those sales. Both co-defendants admitted to having firearms on the days those transactions occurred.
“If you sell firearms to felons, be ready to spend a long time in federal prison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone. “We will not tolerate felons buying, selling, or possessing firearms.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in partnership with the Syracuse Police Department.
“This case underscores the serious threat that illegal firearms trafficking pose to our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller. “These defendants — including two convicted felons — were involved in trafficking firearms, a crime that puts lives at risk.”
The charges each carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. Burch is scheduled for sentencing on November 12, Richardson on October 15, and Stanford on August 27. Sentencing will take place before Senior U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated enforcement and prevention.
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