Federal prosecutors in Georgia have charged three people with buying guns in the Peach State and trafficking them to criminals in the national capital region, including one that ended up in the hands of a high schooler.
Authorities accused Kemith Calvin, 28; Mikellen Clements, 27; and Laytayah Gross, 27, of running guns to several states, with 15 of those weapons recovered by police in the District and Maryland.
Prosecutors said the trio moved at least 68 guns when the scheme operated between May 2023 and August 2024.
“These defendants allegedly coordinated dozens of fraudulent gun purchases in Georgia and directly or indirectly put guns in the hands of out-of-state criminals,” said Theodore S. Hertzberg, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. “The Department of Justice is committed to fighting violent crime across the country and will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute the gun traffickers who facilitate it.”
Prosecutors said the suspects carried out “straw” purchases in Georgia, buying guns for people who cannot legally own a firearm and transporting them to the D.C. area.
Some of those guns were later linked to drive-by shootings and drug trafficking activities, officials said.
A Maryland high school student was found with one of the straw-purchased firearms, a Micro Draco pistol, in May 2025, authorities said. Mr. Clements allegedly ordered for the gun to be purchased and trafficked.
The description of the gun matches an arrest in Prince George’s County on May 1, 2025. In that arrest, police said a Wise High School student was caught handing a black bookbag to another student.
School security stopped the handoff because only clear backpacks are allowed on campus, police said. Security guards searched the bag and found a loaded gun inside.
Federal prosecutors said Mr. Calvin and Ms. Gross will return to court Wednesday. Both pleaded not guilty at their arraignments earlier this month.
Mr. Clements, who is currently in custody in the District on illegal gun charges, has yet to have his initial arraignment in federal court.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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