VA & NJ Police Search for 3 VA Gun & Weapons Traffickers

Three Virginia men remain at-large after being indicted on charges of conspiracy and other offenses related to a multi-state gun trafficking ring between Virginia and New Jersey. Virginia and New Jersey police are currently searching for Johnathan M. Johnson, 28, of Cape Charles, Va.; Bobby Lee Henderson, 24, of Townsend, Va.; and Larry Nottingham, 28, of Eastville, Va.

On May 27, 2010, the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General announced indictments against nine individuals, including a New Jersey man who allegedly was bringing guns from Virginia to sell to gang members in Trenton, N.J., and the three Eastern Shore Virginia men.

According to a press release issued by the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General:

“…the [N.J.] Office of Criminal Justice obtained an indictment charging Trayle Beasley, 29, of Trenton, with leading a network that trafficked guns to Trenton from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including guns recovered in connection with several homicide investigations and a narcotics investigation. Three Virginia men and a New Jersey man are charged with conspiring with him…”

“It is alleged that Johnson would either purchase or gather weapons for Beasley or would coordinate meetings for Beasley, during which Beasley would purchase weapons from others in the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Beasley allegedly bought guns with money, marijuana or other narcotics. Henderson and Nottingham allegedly sold guns that Beasley transported or attempted to transport to New Jersey.”

“[In New Jersey] Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a $150,000 fine. In addition to the second-degree conspiracy count against all five defendants, Beasley and Johnson each face numerous other second-degree counts. Smith and Henderson each face one second-degree count of either transportation or attempted transportation of a firearm into New Jersey for unlawful sale or transfer. Beasley and Nottingham are charged with fourth-degree unlawful disposition of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Beasley is charged with four counts, and Nottingham with one count.”

Beasley grew up in both New Jersey and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The weapons supplied to him were obtained legally and illegally. Investigators estimate several hundred guns were trafficked from Virginia to New Jersey between 2004 and 2009.

Johnson, also known as J-Rock, has a last known address of Arlington Road in Northampton County, Va. Virginia State Police issued a press release on May 12, 2010, seeking the public’s assistance in locating him for a federal warrant stemming from a multi-agency investigation between the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, DEA Norfolk Office and State Police. In that case, Johnson is wanted for conspiracy to distribute 5 kilos of cocaine, and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information concerning Johnson, Henderson and/or Nottingham is encouraged to call the following agencies. Anonymous tips are welcome.

Tips can also be emailed to the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force at tf5q@vsp.virginia.gov.

Virginia State Police – 1-800-582-8350 Toll-free in Virginia
Eastern Shore Task Force – 757-414-0746
Northampton County Sheriff’s Office – 757-678-0458
Accomack County Sheriff’s Office – 757-787-1131

The Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, ATF, New Jersey State Police, Trenton, N.J. Police, East Windsor, N.J. Police, and Office of the New Jersey Attorney General were involved in this investigation, which remains ongoing at this time.

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Posted by admin on Jun 1 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.