For Immediate Release New York, New York - June 11, 2003

ATF - HUDSON PROSECUTOR ARREST
SUSPECT FOR GUN RUNNING FROM
ALABAMA TO NEW JERSEY

GUNS ALLEDGEDY TRAFFICKED VIA AIRPLANES
BY AIRLINE EMPLOYEE IN NEWARK

William G. McMahon, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division and James Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Edward J. De Fazio, Hudson County Prosecutor today announce the arrests of ANTONIO MARQUETTE LEWIS, DOB 03/23/73, of 3 Heckman Drive, Jersey City, N.J., for violating federal firearms laws.

LEWIS, an airline baggage handler at Newark Liberty Airport, was arrested by ATF and the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office at his place of employment on June 9, 2003 without incident.

This joint investigation by ATF and the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office began when individuals were arrested in Hudson County while in possession of defaced firearms.
Through the use of technology, the handguns serial numbers were restored and successfully traced. The trace results disclosed two separate purchasers and a short time- to-crime, or in other words, the guns were on the streets in less than two months.

ATF Agents in the Mobile, Alabama Field Office conducted interviews of the purchasers and were able to determine that these individuals in fact purchased at least six (6) firearms from the Big EZ Pawn Shop in Selma, Alabama specifically for LEWIS.

Subsequent investigation disclosed that from June of 2002, until September 2002, LEWIS, utilizing an Alabama driver's license, purchased at least twelve (12) firearms in Selma, Alabama.

A federal search warrant executed at LEWIS' residence yielded an addition two (2) firearms along with approximately 1,500 rounds of ammunition in addition to three (3) driver's licenses from New Jersey, Alabama and Tennessee.

On June 10, 2003, LEWIS appeared before a Federal Magistrates in New Jersey for his initial appearance. Bail was at $100,000 including electronic monitoring.

The case will be prosecuted by the office of Christopher Christe, U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey.

SAC McMahon said, "I would like to thank Hudson County Prosecutor De Fazio for his office's continued support of the New Jersey Firearms Task Force. This elite group of investigators continues to focus on making the streets of New Jersey safer by reducing violent crime and protecting the public through the interdiction of illegal firearms."

Prosecutor De Fazio said, "We believe a coordinated effort is necessary to eradicate the availability of illegal firearms in Hudson County. To that end, we appreciate the cooperation that ATF has extended and hope that this successful joint effort will continue."