PHILADELPHIA (July 18, 2022) — Ricardo Williams (DOB 12/06/1985) of North Philadelphia was arrested and charged this month with eight counts of Possession of Firearm Prohibited (F1), one count of Conspiracy (F3), and a related firearm charge. Williams’ prior criminal record includes robbery, burglary, and narcotics sales activity dating back to 2006.On July 9, 2022, law enforcement observed Williams at a gun show in Morgantown, PA with another individual, where he purchased two polymer gun (also known as ‘ghost gun’) kits. Williams and this individual proceeded to another table, where his co-conspirator filled out paperwork and completed a straw purchase of a .380 caliber handgun with cash provided by Williams. Agents later observed the defendant and his co-conspirator leave the gun show in a Toyota sedan.
Agents executed a search warrant of Williams’ apartment five days later. Two partially-assembled ‘ghost guns’ were found at the scene in addition to six handguns, ammunition, and drill and tool kits for firearm assembly. The defendant after being Mirandized admitted to police that he attended the gun show despite being prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms because he had prior felony convictions.“We’re grateful to the Gun Violence Task Force and our law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation into this defendant’s illegal activities,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “Our office will continue to take cases involving felons who are prohibited from possessing firearms very seriously. I also urge the state legislature to take the threat of ghost guns seriously. These often untraceable firearms pose a clear and present danger to our communities, and the time for commonsense legislation to prohibit these weapons is long overdue.”
A preliminary hearing for Williams is scheduled for August 2, 2022.
CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, 215-686-8713, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.