CAMDEN, N.J. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Jersey), published as received.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Pennsauken, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 71 months in prison for illegally selling 16 guns, including firearms with high-capacity magazines and obliterated serial numbers, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Ammie Steward, a/k/a “Beav,” a/k/a “B,” 41, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an information charging him with one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between May 2012 and Aug. 15, 2012, Steward sold 16 firearms on nine separate occasions for profit and without a license. The 16 firearms included 12 pistols and two rifles. Steward also admitted to using a power tool to obliterate the serial numbers on 14 of the 16 guns.

Steward sold them near Canal’s Liquors at 5360 Route 38 in Pennsauken to a witness who was cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Seven of the guns were sold along with high-capacity magazines. On at least one occasion, Steward sold a Kel Tec PLR-16 .223 caliber pistol along with a 30-round magazine and a box of ammunition. Steward also sold a Romarm/Cugir, WASR 10/63 .762 caliber rifle with two high-capacity magazines and a bayonet. All 16 weapons are now in the custody of law enforcement.  

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Steward to serve three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George P. Belsky, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Pennsauken Police Department for their important role.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense counsel: Maggie Moy Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden