Nasir Garland
Media, PA — District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the arrest of Nasir Garland, 22, of New Castle, Delaware, on multiple felony charges resulting from his actions as a straw purchaser of six firearms. He has been charged with the Illegal Transfer of Firearms and Providing False Information, as well as related charges.
“There are approximately 1,500 gun deaths in Pennsylvania per year, and this epidemic is fueled in part by straw purchasing,” said DA Stollsteimer. “The surge of gun violence in our communities is fueled by the easy availability of firearms. In our region, law enforcement is fighting the gun violence epidemic by prioritizing the prosecution of those individuals who circumvent the law and supply firearms to felons and trigger-pullers. This arrest should send a message to those thinking about straw purchasing firearms – you will be subject to prosecution,” said Stollsteimer.
A ‘straw purchase’ is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses another person who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm.
On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, Nasir Garland was interviewed at the New Castle Police Detective by Detective Dave Tyler of the Criminal Investigation Division and Chester Police Detective Raheem Blanden. Investigators suspected that Garland had acted as a straw purchaser in reference to several firearms purchased for residents in the City of Chester. Investigation revealed that between August 2020 and December 2020 the defendant had purchased five firearms, two from Starquest Shooters & Survival Supply, and three from First State Firearms, both located in New Castle, Delaware. A sixth firearm was purchased from Starquest in July 2021. The defendant confessed to making the illegal purchases, and transferring those firearms to individuals who were ineligible to purchase such firearms.
“I want to commend the excellent work of Detective Raheem Blanden and the Chester Police Department, and Detective Dave Tyler of the Criminal Investigations Division. This case also required support from the New Castle County Police Department, which was much appreciated,” stated DA Stollsteimer.
The defendant was arraigned before District Magistrate Dawn Vann and bail was set at $250,000 (10 %). The defendant was committed to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 9, 2021 in front of District Magistrate David Griffin.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
For press inquiries, please contact Margie McAboy, Public Information Officer, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429.