PHILADELPHIA (April 15, 2024) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Monday announced the launch of a new prosecution unit at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office that will focus on adults and juveniles who repeatedly and illegally possess firearms in the city of Philadelphia.
The DAO’s Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will prosecute the following gun offenses: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (VUFA 6105); Straw Purchases (VUFA 6111); Ghost Guns, Juveniles in Possession of Firearms (VUFA (6110.1); individuals who are arrested and charged with the manufacturing and distribution of polymer firearms, also known as ‘ghost guns’. The DAO’s Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will also utilize criminal intelligence gathering in collaboration with law enforcement and the Gun Violence Task Force to ascertain whether those arrested are actively involved with street groups who commit violence in Philadelphia.
Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the DAO’s Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will also handle bail revocation hearings and will work closely with the DAO’s Charging Unit to appeal low cash bail rulings by Philadelphia Bail Commissioners for those who pose a danger to the community.
“I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to our partners in Philadelphia City Council for securing the funding to make this new initiative a reality,” said DA Krasner. “I’m confident that under the leadership of Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Palmer, the Prolific Gun Offender Unit will vigorously and appropriately prosecute and convict the relatively small number of people who pose a significant threat to public safety in our city.”
“We believe the Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will have a significant impact on violent crime and gun possession in Philadelphia,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Palmer, Supervisor of the PGOU. “Through my work as Assistant Supervisor of the Gun Violence Task Force and Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit, I’m very familiar with the danger that illegal firearms pose to everyone in our city. The Prolific Gun Offender Unit will focus on the small percentage of people who pose a large risk to the safety and well-being of the wonderful people of Philadelphia.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected], 215-686-8713
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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.