U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Relating To Firearms Trafficking And Distribution Of Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Pills Containing Fentanyl

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) New York Division, and Erin Keegan, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced that a grand jury returned a five-count Indictment charging JYSHUN TROWER with transporting and selling over 40 firearms in New York and TROWER and STIVEN ARTURO MARTINEZ NIN with conspiracy to distribute large quantities of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl.  TROWER and MARTINEZ NIN were arrested on Thursday, December 14, 2023, and presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang on Friday, December 15, 2023.  The case is assigned to the Honorable Denise L. Cote.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jyshun Trower and Stiven Arturo Martinez Nin are charged with having allegedly peddled two of the deadliest threats to New Yorkers—illegal firearms and fentanyl.  The firearms recovered by law enforcement included military-style assault weapons, and the drugs seized included more than a kilogram of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing deadly fentanyl and fentanyl analogue.  I want to thank the law enforcement agents who investigated this case for their tireless work resulting in today’s charges and reiterate this Office’s commitment to ensuring that those who flood the streets with deadly guns and drugs will be brought to justice.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “This indictment shows that the dangerous work conducted by the NYPD and our law enforcement partners is effective, and that the proliferation of illegal guns and drugs on our streets continues.  I thank all the members of the OCDETF and the office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their tireless dedication to our shared public safety mission.” 

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino said: “This investigation resulted in 43 firearms and thousands of fake pills containing fentanyl being taken off the streets and exemplifies law enforcement’s oath to safeguard our communities.  I commend the men and women from NYPD, DEA, HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their diligent work on this investigation.”      

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: “The defendants are accused of crimes that threaten not only the lives of those purchasing these counterfeit drugs, but also potential victims of gun violence in New York City.  HSI New York is proud to work closely with our law enforcement partners, including the members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, every day in preventing deadly narcotics and weapons from reaching the streets and the community.”    

According to the allegations in the Indictment and Complaint:^[1]

From on or about May 3, 2023, through on or about December 14, 2023, JYSHUN TROWER illegally transported and sold firearms in Manhattan and the New York City area.  In almost a dozen transactions, TROWER illegally sold approximately 43 firearms to an undercover law enforcement agent and others.  The firearms included multiple semiautomatic pistols, semiautomatic rifles, assault style rifles and pistols, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, a ghost gun, and components used to convert a semiautomatic pistol into a fully automatic pistol, also known as a machine gun.  Images of several of the firearms that TROWER sold are below. 

Firearms TROWER sold in Manhattan on July 31, 2023.

Firearms TROWER sold in Manhattan on August 17, 2023.

Firearms TROWER sold in Manhattan on August 25, 2023.

Firearms TROWER sold in Manhattan on September 29, 2023.

In addition, TROWER and MARTINEZ NIN conspired to sell 10,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover law enforcement agent.  TROWER had also arranged with the undercover agent to include several firearms in the transaction.  On or about December 14, 2023, TROWER and MARTINEZ NIN arrived at the sale location. Law enforcement apprehended TROWER.  MARTINEZ NIN attempted to flee on foot and discard a bag containing over one kilogram of pills and their packaging. 

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JYSHUN TROWER, 27, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is charged with one count of illegally dealing firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of illegally transporting and distributing firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of conspiring to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, one count of using and carrying firearms while engaging in the narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of attempted transfer of a firearm for use in a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

STIVEN ARTURO MARTINEZ NIN, 24, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is charged with one count of conspiring to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, DEA New York Division, and HSI New York Field Office.  

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Daniels is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment and Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.