Hudson Valley Drug and Gun Traffickers Convicted

Nine Members of Trafficking Ring Sentenced to Prison

According to the United States Attorney General’s Office, nine members of a firearms and narcotics trafficking ring have been convicted. Two members, Muayad Qader, 35, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and Jason Knapp, 44, was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Investigation and Seizures

The investigation, which started in April 2022, centered around Qader, who allegedly sold drugs and guns out of a Valero gas station in LaGrangeville and his home. Upon investigation, officers determined that Knapp was assembling ghost guns and supplying Qader with firearms and high-capacity magazines. Two other men, Joseph Silverman and Louis Gonzalez, were also allegedly supplying the ghost guns.

A total of 31 firearms were seized, including 14 un-serialized AR-style ghost gun rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. For the 154-count indictment, three of the four men pleaded guilty.

Guilty Pleas and Sentences

• Qader pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, a Class B felony, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony.
• Louis Gonzalez, 53, of LaGrangeville, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor.
• Joseph Silverman, 30, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony.
• Knapp was convicted by a jury trial for the sale and possession of 12 firearms and conspiracy.

Drug Investigation and Seizures

Concurrently, a drug investigation was happening. The investigation determined that Qader allegedly bought and sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from Aaron Steppe, Christopher Evans, Angel Williams, Isaiah Atkins, Curtis Holland, and Stephen Gary.

Approximately 5,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills and $55,000 in cash were seized. In the 63-count drug indictment, all the defendants pleaded guilty to their contributions.

Guilty Pleas and Sentences

• Qader pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony, and one count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony, to run concurrently with the sentences on the firearm trafficking indictment.
• Isaiah Atkins, 27, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, for which he received a sentence of five and a half years in prison and two years of post-release supervision, and one count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony, for which he received a sentence of one to three years in prison, to run concurrent. Atkins further forfeited $35,010 in seized cash.
• Christopher Evans, 34, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, for which he received a sentence of four years in prison and two years of post-release supervision, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony, for which he received a sentence of one to three years in prison, to run concurrent.
• Curtis Holland, 32, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, and one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a class C felony.
• Aaron Steppe, 29, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, for which he received a sentence of five years in prison and two years of post-release supervision, and one count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony, for which he received a sentence of one to three years in prison, to run concurrent. Steppe further forfeited $6,443 in seized cash and a seized 2007 Infiniti G35.
• Angel Williams, 24, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty to one count of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for which she received a sentence of three years of probation.

Conclusion

According to Attorney General James, “These dangerous criminals flooded New York communities with untraceable ghost guns and counterfeit opioids containing deadly amounts of fentanyl. This case is a significant victory in my office’s efforts to turn the tide on the crises of gun violence and opioid addiction. The convictions and sentences we secured are putting a stop to deadly gun and drug trafficking operations, protecting New Yorkers in the Hudson Valley.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many members of the trafficking ring were convicted?

A: Nine members of the trafficking ring were convicted.

Q: What were the sentences for Muayad Qader and Jason Knapp?

A: Muayad Qader was sentenced to 14 years in prison, and Jason Knapp was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Q: What was the total amount of firearms seized?

A: A total of 31 firearms were seized, including 14 un-serialized AR-style ghost gun rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Q: What was the total amount of cash seized?

A: Approximately $55,000 in cash was seized.

Q: What were the sentences for the drug trafficking defendants?

A: The drug trafficking defendants received sentences ranging from one to five and a half years in prison, with some forfeiting seized cash and assets.