2 Admit Role In 'Iron Pipeline' Ghost Gun Trafficking Network

YONKERS, NY — Two Georgia men, who were part of an interstate gun trafficking ring, have entered guilty pleas in connection to a case that left a Yonkers detective critically injured.

Xavier Simms and Bryce Martin pled guilty to trafficking firearms from Georgia to New York and conspiring to do so, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced on Wednesday.

"Today, Xavier Simms and Bryce Martin admitted to trafficking guns from Georgia to New York," Williams said. "Their actions contributed to the flow of illegal guns into New York, which too often results in gun violence in our communities. Today’s pleas reflect the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners to rid our streets of illegal guns and to prosecute gun traffickers to the fullest extent of the law."

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On April 20, members of the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and the City of Yonkers Police Department were investigating illegal firearms activity in the area of Elm St. and Linden St. in Yonkers. During their investigation, they attempted to interdict members of the so-called "Iron Pipeline" conspiracy, including Xavier Simms, Bryce Martin, and a third co-conspirator, Bryant Jackson. When the investigators approached Simms, Martin and Jackson at a Yonkers deli, Jackson shot and critically wounded FBI Task Force member Det. Brian Menton at close range.

After that, an FBI Special Agent fired his gun at Jackson, killing him.

Investigators recovered four firearms in total from Simms, Martin and Jackson at the Yonkers deli, including a "ghost gun" — a type of firearm that is designed to evade law enforcement detection.

Simms and Martin had previously traveled together with Jackson from Georgia to New York, arriving in Yonkers around April 19, with firearms to sell. Evidence recovered from their cellphones showed that Simms and Martin both had access to specialized firearms, including machine gun-style weapons. Once in Yonkers, Simms, Martin and Jackson met with another person who got at least five firearms from them to sell on consignment.

Simms, 22, of Covington, Georgia, and Martin, 23, of Hampton, Georgia, each entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of firearms trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Simms is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20, 2023, while Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2023.

Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI and the Yonkers Police Department. He also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the investigation.