Illegal Gun Pipeline Busted From Georgia to New York City

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

A father and son were indicted in Manhattan for operating an illegal gun trafficking network that transported and sold dozens of firearms, including modified weapons, from Georgia to New York City. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt the "Iron Pipeline," a major source of illegal guns fueling violence in urban areas.

A father and son were indicted in Manhattan this week for their involvement in an illegal gun trafficking operation that funneled firearms from Georgia to New York City, authorities announced Monday. The scheme, described by officials as part of the so-called "Iron Pipeline," involved the sale of dozens of firearms, including high-powered weapons and devices capable of converting semiautomatic handguns into machine pistols.

Daniel Vern Joly, 34, and his father, Daniel Joly, 53, face multiple charges related to the conspiracy and criminal sale of firearms. Prosecutors say the pair sold 45 guns to undercover NYPD detectives through a series of covert transactions valued at approximately $46,000. Sales reportedly took place in neighborhoods including Chinatown and Brooklyn between March and May 2026.

Among the seized weapons were a lilac-colored revolver, fully automatic Uzis, and specialized "switches" that modify guns to increase their lethality. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg highlighted that many recovered firearms were equipped with devices designed to inflict greater harm. Surveillance and undercover operations revealed that Vern Joly frequently transported firearms from Georgia to New York, sometimes carrying them on Greyhound buses.

The investigation also led to the arrest of two additional individuals from Georgia, identified as Johnny Philogene, 37, of Brooklyn, and 25-year-old Deashawn Ross. Both men have been indicted in connection with the trafficking network and are currently held in Georgia awaiting extradition to New York. Authorities subsequently seized a total of 83 illegal firearms during the course of the probe, with the majority recovered in New York City.

Law enforcement officials described the trafficking network as a coordinated effort that sought to evade detection while supplying illegal weapons to the city’s streets. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny noted the surprising role of the elder Joly, who is employed as a hospital security guard in New York, as well as the son’s involvement as a primary gun runner despite no previous criminal record.

During one documented transaction on April 1, Vern Joly allegedly sold 10 firearms and related ammunition to an undercover detective near the Manhattan Bridge in the vicinity of Canal and Forsyth Streets. Further sales at the same location included pistols modified with machine gun conversion devices.

At their Manhattan Supreme Court arraignments, Vern Joly was held without bail, while his father was released on a $250,000 bond. Attorneys for the Jolys and their associates have not publicly commented on the charges.

The case underscores continuing concerns among law enforcement officials about the transportation of illegal firearms from southern states into major urban centers along the East Coast, contributing to local gun violence and crime.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.