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Gun trafficker gets 6- to 20-year term
The ringleader of a suburban gun-trafficking gang that targeted upscale houses to steal weapons has been sentenced to six to 20 years in prison.
Kenneth Gatlin, 24, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of felony burglary minutes before his case was to go to trial Monday, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Nathan Schadler said.
Authorities had called Gatlin the mastermind of a team of seven burglars that pulled off 40 heists, netting dozens of weapons and nearly $100,000 in cash and jewelry.
Gatlin, of Schwenksville, who also was sentenced Monday, instructed his crew to focus on stealing guns, which he would then sell for $200 to $500 on the streets of Norristown and Philadelphia, Schadler said.
"Rifles, handguns, revolvers, semiautomatics - anything that could shoot a bullet - they would steal and sell," Schadler said. "He sold to anyone on the street that wanted to buy an illegal gun, and he had plenty of willing buyers."
The gang broke into homes in Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties between November 2006 and June 2007. Schadler said he did not know how many weapons the gang stole.
"We'll never know for sure how many," Schadler said, "but at least 30 guns remain unaccounted for."
In addition to the prison term, Gatlin must pay $96,000 in restitution.
Contact staff writer Sam Wood
at 215-854-2796 or samwood@phillynews.com.
