A Peoria business owner has been arrested for illegally buying and selling firearms.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with help from the Phoenix Police Department raided the suspect’s Peoria home and Glendale storage locker, finding multiple illegally purchased firearms. They seized elven guns total, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns in the storage locker located near 67th and Glendale Avenues.
Phoenix police have identified the suspect as 50-year-old Joseph Edward James, Jr.
Officials say James, Jr. was allegedly buying and selling firearms illegally on Backpage.com. He told police he was holding the weapons for a friend who was planning on opening a pawn shop.
According to law enforcement, James, Jr. is a convicted felon that has not received his gun rights restored.
He has been charged with eleven counts of misconduct involving weapons.
