NEW YORK, NY — Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the top count pleas of William Soler and Erick Ransom, members of the violent “Bloods” street gang, for their roles in a high-volume gun trafficking ring. The “Operation Redrum” investigation, based on the nickname of ringleader William “Redrum” Soler, resulted in the seizure of 93 illegal guns. Soler is to be sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Ransom will be sentenced to three to six years for conspiracy to murder.
“These individuals were members of a dangerous gun trafficking ring that used Metro North trains as a method to bring guns into our communities and fuel the epidemic of gun violence,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Today’s guilty pleas send a clear message– if you bring deadly illegal weapons New York, we will catch you and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit, began in June 2014. The plea follows previous top count convictions of co-conspirators Cadeim Beckford, who was sentenced to eight years in prison on November 24, 2015, Devon Fairburn, who was sentenced on October 29, 2015, to six years in prison and Terrence Gordon, who was sentenced to five years in prison. Ronald Snyder has also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced to eight years in prison.
“Operation Redrum” found that weapons were purchased not only on New York City streets, but also in Port Chester, N.Y., Maine, and Connecticut for resale in New York City by ring members. Some of the guns bought in Port Chester, N.Y. and Stamford, Conn., were transported to the city on Metro North trains. The weapons were resold in New York City for several times their original price.
The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Howard Feldberg. Deputy Attorney General Peri Alyse Kadanoff runs the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force. The Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice is Kelly Donovan.