Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a South Carolina man was arraigned today on a 59-count indictment for selling nearly a dozen illegal firearms, including rifles and pistols, between August 2023 and January 2024. The defendant was arrested entering Nassau County in early April while allegedly in possession of two additional firearms.
Kim Lilly, 45, of Greenville, South Carolina, was arraigned today before Judge Colin O’Donnell on charges including four counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree (a B violent felony); two count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); 22 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree (a D violent felony); 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D violent felony); and 11 counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony). The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on May 23, 2024. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.
“This defendant allegedly made several trips up and down the I-95 corridor and trafficked dangerous illegal guns into Nassau County,” said DA Donnelly. “When Kim Lilly was arrested on April 3rd, police executing a search warrant found another two handguns, one of which was defaced and hidden beneath the driver side floor mat of Lilly’s car. I thank our partners at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Nassau County Police Department for investigating leads and taking down firearms dealers who bring these deadly weapons into our communities.”
“The trafficking of illegal firearms is a major contributing factor to the epidemic of violent crime in our communities,” said Thomas Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York Field Division. “This indictment underscores ATF’s commitment to form partnerships and utilize crime gun intelligence to disrupt the flow of illegal guns. We thank our colleagues and commend the efforts of the ATF Joint Firearms Task Force, Hempstead PD, and Nassau County DA’s Office.”
“The arrest and indictment of defendant Kim Lilly of South Carolina will inevitably keep our neighborhoods and communities safer as there will be a reduction in illegal firearms that are accessible,” said Nassau County Police Department Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “This multi-jurisdictional investigation has shut down the illegal trafficking of dozens of firearms by this defendant. A great job by all of the dedicated investigators and their affiliated agencies.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on four separate dates between August 2023 and January 2024, in Freeport, the defendant allegedly sold a total of 11 illegal firearms, including an assault rifle and assault pistol, and pistols. All but one of the firearms were loaded and sold with accompanying ammunition. Several high-capacity magazines were also allegedly sold by the defendant.
It is believed that the weapons were initially purchased from a pawn shop in South Carolina and then allegedly trafficked by the defendant to Nassau County.
Prior to living in South Carolina, the defendant was a resident of Freeport.
The defendant was arrested on April 3, 2024, in Farmingdale by members of the ATF Firearms Task Force.
Following Lilly’s arrest, two loaded handguns were recovered during a search warrant executed on his vehicle. The defendant was arraigned today before Judge O’Donnell and charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree; two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.
Lilly’s co-defendant, Tomeca Jeter, 49, of South Carolina, who was in the vehicle when the additional weapons were found, was also arraigned today before Judge O’Donnell and charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree; two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. Bail was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. She is due back in court on May 23, 2024.
The case is being prosecuted by Unit Chief Lee Genser of the Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau. Lilly is represented by Jenna Spelke, Esq. Jeter is represented by Lori Golombek, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
