Berks Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Illegal Gun Trafficking
UPDATE: A Berks County man, Nathaniel Antonio “Swift” Arroyo, has been sentenced to 7 to 14 years in prison for his role in a sophisticated gun trafficking operation. This urgent development was confirmed in a Montgomery County courtroom today, where Arroyo pleaded guilty to serious charges, including corrupt organizations and illegal transfer of firearms.
Authorities report that Arroyo, 28, engaged in illegal gun transfers between January and July 2024, participating in a multi-county network responsible for distributing firearms across several areas, including Montgomery, Berks, Chester, and Columbia counties. His actions are believed to have contributed significantly to the rise in illegal gun violence in the region, according to Assistant District Attorney Robert Joseph Waeltz Jr..
In a plea agreement, Arroyo admitted to purchasing seven firearms from various gun stores and illegally transferring two handguns to individuals prohibited from possessing them. These weapons, a .380-caliber semiautomatic and a Glock 19x 9mm, were recovered during police investigations linked to violent incidents, including a road rage case in Chester County.
“This type of behavior is leading to the unending tide of illegal gun violence in the area,” Waeltz stated, emphasizing the seriousness of straw purchases — a practice where individuals legally able to buy firearms sell them to those who cannot. Arroyo’s sentence includes a mandatory five-year term due to the nature of his offenses.
During the hearing, Arroyo expressed remorse for his actions, stating,
“I just want to say sorry to everyone for what I’ve done. I’m going to do better when I get out.”
His defense attorney, Brooks Thompson, described Arroyo as a person of good character caught in a troubling situation, highlighting the emotional toll on him and his family.
Arroyo was among nine individuals arrested in July 2024 as part of the investigation into this gun trafficking organization, which allegedly acquired and distributed 31 illegal firearms across multiple counties. The investigation was triggered by a stabbing incident involving another member of the group, leading authorities to uncover a network engaged in the illegal sale of firearms, including 3-D printed ghost guns.
Several other defendants have also pleaded guilty or are awaiting sentencing as part of this ongoing investigation. The scale of the operation and the recovery of numerous firearms have raised alarm among officials, with many weapons still unaccounted for.
As this case unfolds, the community remains on high alert regarding gun violence, with law enforcement continuing to target illegal gun trafficking activities. The investigation, which utilized various investigative techniques, involved collaboration from multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and local police departments.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent dangers posed by illegal firearms and the urgent need for effective measures to combat gun violence in our communities. As Arroyo begins his prison term, the focus shifts to the remaining defendants and the ongoing efforts to dismantle this criminal network. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
