DA charges man with illegally selling guns to South Philadelphia gang
The suspect is accused of legally purchasing at least three guns, but then illegally selling them to convicted felons.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man is facing charges for allegedly supplying weapons to a violent gang in South Philadelphia.
The district attorney's office announced the charges against 22-year-old Tyrone Patterson on Monday morning.
He's accused of legally purchasing at least three guns, but then illegally selling them to convicted felons who are not allowed to own them.
Officials are using this as a cautionary tale about the dangers and consequences of what's known as straw purchasing.
What you are doing by being an arms merchant, what you are doing by selling weapons to people who are members of groups and gangs who are actively killing each other and often accidentally killing bystanders, what you are doing is just as bad," District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
Patterson was arrested last week and faces prison time if convicted.
Patterson is also being charged with endangering the welfare of a child after he allegedly left his 3-year-old home alone with an electric stove turned on for heat. The DA's office said he had a smoke alarm covered up to prevent any burning odor from triggering the alarm.
