James Strong, a 35-year-old from Long Beach, pleads not guilty to multiple gun trafficking charges after allegedly selling 21 firearms to undercover agents in Queens Village, just blocks from an elementary school. Federal prosecutors report that Strong sold the weapons during daylight hours, claiming the guns were intended for smuggling to Trinidad, raising serious concerns about public safety in the area.
Strong’s legal troubles are compounded by a prior manslaughter conviction from a 2007 shooting incident, leading to an 18-year prison sentence before his release on parole in late 2023. As federal authorities pursue the case, Strong remains detained, while five others face charges related to selling additional firearms in neighboring communities, underscoring ongoing issues with gun trafficking in the region.
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