Man pleads guilty in Rock Hill-to-New York City ‘Iron Pipeline’ case

A Rock Hill man charged in connection with what police call the largest seizure of illegal guns in New York City’s history has pleaded guilty in the “Iron Pipeline” scheme that resulted in 19 arrests in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Most of the Rock Hill people accused in 2013 of buying 90 guns – including assault rifles and “cop-killer” bullets – in York County to sell in New York appeared in court this week and have refused plea deals. They are set for trial March 2, according to court records.

Chris Hill, 25, of Rock Hill, pleaded guilty to a single count of criminal sale of a firearm Monday in a Manhattan court, documents show. The other two charges Hill faced – another illegal gun sale charge and conspiracy – were dropped as part of the plea agreement, records show. He is set for sentencing Feb. 5.

When Hill was arrested, police said he appeared to be a link between two cells of gunrunners – one in Rock Hill and another in Sanford, N.C. He was arrested Aug. 14, 2013, after a 10-day manhunt. Police say Hill stole guns from private homes to sell.

The scheme involved buying guns in South Carolina and North Carolina, police say, and taking them by bus to New York, where gun laws are much stricter. The plot was infiltrated by undercover officers in New York, but the investigation included federal, state and local police in three states. Hill was captured on wiretaps arguing with alleged North Carolina ringleader Walter Walker of Sanford about profits from the scheme, indictments showed.

“It’s a .32 (caliber),” Hill told Walker. “I figured it’s going to New York. So you know what I’m saying ... That ... worth way more than $175.”

Kendall Danielle Jones, 23, of Rock Hill, pleaded guilty last year and is serving four years in prison. Jones was nicknamed “Zebra Girl” because she was said to have carried weapons in a zebra-striped suitcase and used a cellphone to read instructions for how to assemble an assault rifle during a sale.

Accused ringleader Earl Campbell, 25, nicknamed “Tall Man” by investigators because he is 6 feet, 7 inches tall, faces more than 30 indictments. Campbell, Jones’ boyfriend, allegedly made several bus trips to New York and sold 90 guns for $75,000.

Indictments claim Campbell repeatedly referenced the stricter gun laws in New York and lax laws in South Carolina.

Court testimony last year showed Campbell, who has been in jail in New York without bond since his arrest, rejected a plea deal that would have ended with his being sentenced to 30 years in prison. He could face up to life in prison if convicted at trial. At one bail hearing, prosecutors said Campbell used the Sandy Hook school shootings in Connecticut as a reason to charge more for guns.

Larick Michaux, 27, a convicted felon from Rock Hill who also has been in jail since his arrest in August 2013, faces 50 felony charges. Police allege that he played an integral role in the plot. He was caught on wiretaps arguing with Campbell over profits and risk, demanding a larger cut of the take.

Warquisha Michaux, 30, Larick Michaux’s sister, who on wiretaps called bullets “cop-killers,” also remains jailed awaiting a March court date, records show. Two other Rock Hill defendants – Arthur Barber, 28, and Brandon Potts, 25, who are accused of supplying guns – are awaiting March trial dates.

Walker, whom police called the ringleader of the North Carolina operation, pleaded guilty last month to several charges and is set for sentencing Feb. 4, court records show. Monday also saw guilty pleas from several other defendants in the North Carolina-to-New York plot – including a rapper named Matthew “Neno” Best.

Police spotted Best’s photos and boasts on social media of guns and money. He allegedly boasted that he had access to “more guns than the Air Force.”

Sentencing for those defendants is set for later this month and February.

The person accused of brokering the 208 gun deals with both Walker and Campbell, Adedji Omole of New York, is scheduled to appear in court Friday on more than 70 charges.

This story was originally published January 14, 2015 at 8:13 PM.