Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Two Georgia Men Plead Guilty to Firearms Trafficking in Delaware Federal Court
WILMINGTON, Del. –David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Ryan Freeman and Shaquayvis Asberry, both from the Atlanta, Georgia area, pled guilty to conspiring to deal firearms without a license and related gun charges in federal court. Freeman pled guilty on July 12, 2022. Asberry pled guilty yesterday, August 3, 2022. The Honorable Colm F. Connolly, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, accepted both pleas.
According to court filings and statements made in open court, on January 16, 2021, while patrolling Interstate 495, Delaware State Police officers stopped the defendants for a routine traffic violation. Officers found 10 guns during a search of defendants’ car. Further investigation by the ATF revealed various text messages, photographs, and financial records, all of which demonstrated the Defendants’ intent to illegally sell these firearms. The Indictment also alleges that, with Asberry’s help, Freeman had been selling firearms without a license in Philadelphia since the summer of 2020.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “Illegally trafficking firearms threatens our communities by providing individuals prohibited from possessing guns with ready access to these weapons. Disrupting the unlawful interstate transfer of firearms requires cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement. I want to thank the Delaware State Police and ATF for their thorough investigation.”
“These defendants illegally transported guns through numerous states, numerous communities, all with the intention of selling them illegally,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby. “Every step of the way, this threatens the safety of the public. ATF and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify and investigate anyone trafficking firearms and placing more guns into the hands of criminals.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 21-CR-00055 (CFC).