Steven Lee, a 38-year-old Baltimore resident, entered a guilty plea to the charge of conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, as announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland and Toni M. Crosby, Special Agent in Charge at the ATF. This case arose from a sting operation where Lee, together with co-conspirator Cedrick Brinkley, agreed to sell illegally obtained firearms to an undercover ATF agent, presenting a stark example of the ongoing battle against gun violence and crime in the community.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2024, the duo was captured on surveillance as they sat in a vehicle just before meeting the undercover agent who posed as a buyer intending to resell the firearms in New Jersey. The ATF observed as Brinkley left the vehicle, delivering a total of five 9-millimeter pistols and receiving $6,100 in exchange. The following week, on April 24, Lee and Brinkley were once again seen preparing for another transaction, with Lee opting to stay behind while Brinkley carried out the meeting and sold five additional firearms to the undercover agent for $7,800, one of which was equipped with a machinegun conversion device. This transaction was facilitated through speakerphone negotiations with Lee, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The weapons sold by the co-conspirators included three that were reported stolen, underlining the perpetuation of illegal arms in criminal activities. Lee, who is barred from having firearms due to a prior felony conviction, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, with the sentencing scheduled for August 19. Brinkley's trial is still pending. The conducted raid on Lee's residence by authorities resulted in the seizure of a Taurus PT709 pistol and additional ammunition, further cementing the allegations against him.
