Earlier today, in federal court, in Brooklyn, Rohnique Posey, also known as "Pioneer," pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. Posey's four co-defendants, Karsem Allen, also known as "Short," Carolyn Hicks-Torres, Henry McCummings, and Dominic Smith, all previously pleaded guilty to engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. In addition, Allen and Hicks-Torres pleaded guilty to possession of machine guns and McCummings pleaded guilty to possession of a defaced firearm.

When sentenced, all five defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment for the firearms trafficking conspiracy charge. Posey also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment for distribution of cocaine base; Allen and Hicks-Torres face a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment for possession of machineguns; and McCummings faces a maximum sentence of 5 years' imprisonment for possession of a defaced firearm.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty pleas.

"Illegal gun traffickers fuel violence, endanger innocent lives, and threaten the safety of our communities," stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella. "These guilty pleas hold accountable these defendants. who sought to flood Queens neighborhoods with illegal weapons, including semi-automatic and defaced firearms, and ghost guns. Every illegal firearm taken off our streets is a step towards safer communities, and our Office, alongside our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to stop the flow of illegal guns, combat gun violence, and protect the people of New York City. I commend the brave members of law enforcement who took these deadly weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals. We are all safer thanks to their exceptional work."

"These guilty pleas are the result of focused investigative work and the strong partnership between ATF New York's Crime Gun Enforcement Team and the NYPD Ghost Gun Unit. Together, we identified and disrupted a firearms trafficking network responsible for moving dozens of illegal firearms and machine gun conversion devices into Queens. Our commitment to reducing violent gun crime and protecting the communities we serve remains unwavering. We are grateful to the staff at U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York for its continued partnership," stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.

"This case demonstrates once again that there will be consequences for those who attempt to bring illegal firearms into our city," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. "That is the work behind the NYPD delivering record lows in murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims for the first half of 2026: comprehensive investigations that remove illegal guns, dismantle trafficking pipelines, and hold the drivers of violence accountable. I thank our NYPD investigators, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York for their commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe."

As set forth in court filings, between December 2024 and June 2025, Allen, Hicks-Torres, McCummings, Posey, and Smith made multiple illegal firearms sales totaling at least 29 firearms, including semi-automatic and defaced weapons, inside apartment complexes in the Rockaways. On the day Allen and Hicks-Torres were arrested, July 1, 2025, they sold an additional 11 firearms. Allen and Hicks-Torres illegally obtained these firearms in North Carolina from straw purchasers and then transported the weapons to New York City to be sold through Posey. On one occasion, Allen and Hicks-Torres sold four machine gun conversion devices, which are designed for converting semi-automatic pistols into machine guns. McCummings and Smith primarily sold "ghost guns" which typically do not have serial numbers and therefore are untraceable. Posey also sold crack cocaine on four occasions.

Several firearms and machine gun conversion devices trafficked by the defendants are depicted below.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Marcus and Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

KARSEM ALLEN (also known as "Short")
Age: 50
Henderson, North Carolina

CAROLYN HICKS-TORRES
Age: 54
Henderson, North Carolina

HENRY MCCUMMINGS
Age: 44
Arverne, New York

ROHNIQUE POSEY (also known as "Pioneer")
Age: 48
Arverne, New York

DOMINIC SMITH
Age: 35
Teaneck, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-216 (BMC)