Krysty Horter, a 39-year-old resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Julia K. Munley.
United States Attorney Brian D. Miller stated that Horter had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to traffic firearms between April 2022 and July 9, 2024, in Luzerne County and other locations. As part of the conspiracy, Horter admitted to straw-purchasing at least five firearms for her co-defendants, including Justis Shea. She transferred these firearms to Shea while knowing he was prohibited from possessing them due to his status as a felon and an unlawful user of controlled substances.
Co-defendants Justis Shea and Jeremy Shea have already received sentences of 130 months and 48 months in prison, respectively. Cindy Shea, another co-defendant, is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation involved several agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Kingston Police Department, Wilkes-Barre Police Department, Pittston Police Department, Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
According to the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America initiative (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), this case is part of a nationwide effort aimed at using all available resources to address illegal immigration issues, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime.
