Federal authorities have charged five individuals in a 23-count indictment, alleging they operated a firearms trafficking ring that moved weapons from Athens, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, supplying various street gangs. U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes announced the charges, noting that some of the trafficked guns have been linked to violent acts, including a murder committed by a juvenile in Chicago.
The indictment, unsealed on June 23, names Anthony Edmond, also known as “Chapo,” of Athens; Rafael Enriquez, “Ritchie Rich,” of Chicago; Elijah Lucena, “Eli,” of Chicago; Keontice Reed, “Manman,” of Chicago; and Melvin Griffin, “Memo600,” of Snellville, Georgia, and Chicago. The defendants face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit firearms offenses, conspiracy to unlawfully make and possess machineguns, false statements during firearm purchases, and possession of firearms by convicted felons. Several also face charges related to drug trafficking and stolen motor vehicles.
According to court statements, Edmond, allegedly a member of the Chicago-based Black Disciples (BD) gang and an associate of the Conservative Vice Lords (CVL), made straw purchases of dozens of firearms from Georgia gun stores between March 2020 and November 2021. He allegedly falsified ATF Form 4473, claiming to be the true buyer. These weapons were then transported to Chicago and distributed to members of gangs like the BD, CVL, and Mickey Cobras.
The conspirators allegedly used coded language, referring to firearms as "pipes" or "straps" and specific calibers as "dimes" or "nickels." Enriquez allegedly supplied Edmond with machinegun conversion devices, or "Nintendos," which Edmond installed on Glock pistols before distributing them. These converted weapons were reportedly test-fired in the Athens area.
A critical example of the violence linked to this operation involves a Glock pistol allegedly purchased by Edmond in Athens on May 15, 2021. Just 36 days later, on June 20, 2021, this firearm was reportedly discharged at the scene of a murder in Chicago. It was later recovered from a juvenile gang member and forensically linked to a shooting on a Chicago Transit Authority bus and another incident involving property damage.
This investigation is a part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a partnership dedicated to dismantling criminal cartels and transnational gangs. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, with significant assistance from the Chicago Police Department, FBI-Atlanta, and other law enforcement agencies.