MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Two Pottstown men accused of being part of what authorities describe as a “sophisticated” and “devastating” gun trafficking ring are on trial this week in Norristown.
Desmond Bennett, 32, and Keith Chaney, 28, are on trial on charges including corrupt organization, conspiracy and illegal gun purchases or transfers.
Prosecutor Robert Waeltz said during opening statements Monday that the ring was selling factory-made firearms along with 3D printed guns and accessories, essentially putting silenced machine guns on the streets.
Waeltz said Chaney was a leader in the ring along with 30-year-old Michael Needling. And Bennett, also on trial with Chaney, was Needling’s primary advisor.
Needling pleaded no contest last week, which means he is not admitting guilt, but is conceding there’s enough evidence against him for a jury to convict him.
Seven others have pleaded guilty to charges that connect them with the ring. Waeltz told jurors they’ll hear from some of those people during the trial.
But Chaney’s lawyer told jurors to carefully consider that testimony, noting they have a motivation to lie to try to get a better outcome when they’re sentenced later this year.
Bennett’s lawyer says there’s only evidence linking his client to three guns, adding that that evidence is questionable.