Christopher Michael McNelly, a 28-year-old Norristown resident, is sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in jail for participating in a straw purchase scheme that supplied firearms to leaders of a multi-county gun trafficking organization. McNelly pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including making false statements on federal gun purchase forms, and is required to serve a lengthy probation following his jail term, reflecting the serious nature of the crime.
Judge Wendy G. Rothstein emphasized the court’s stance against straw purchases, highlighting their connection to increased violent crime. Testimony revealed that McNelly, struggling with drug addiction, was manipulated by organization leaders Scott Michael Grondin and Bella Skylar Kenna, who paid him with drugs in return for purchasing two firearms at local gun shops. The investigation into the trafficking ring uncovered a scheme responsible for moving 17 illegal firearms, with only seven recovered thus far.
Read full story at www.timesherald.com
