Gun bust highlights uptick in teen gun possession

By LAURA ITALIANO
Last Updated: 1:45 PM, December 7, 2010
Posted: 1:18 PM, December 7, 2010

A 20-year-old gun kingpin was facing a 25 year prison sentence in Manhattan today, as prosecutors noted an uptick in teen gunslingers.

A quarter of the 240 defendants prosecuted for possessing loaded weapons are 18 or younger, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance said in announcing the indictment of Juan Rivas, of Yonkers, on charges he sold 25 guns to an NYPD undercover.

"These are young men who should be in school, not with guns in their hands," Vance said, addressing press from behind a table laden with shotguns, semi-automatics and revolvers allegedly purchased by the hero undercover for prices ranging up to $1,000.

"This is probably the most dangerous work in all of law enforcement," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said of the investigation, crediting his Firearms Investigation Unit.

So far, cops have seized nearly 6,000 guns citywide through arrests and confiscations, on top of the approximately 6,000 guns retrieved through the city's gun buyback program.

Arrested on gun sale and possession charges along with Rivas were his girlfriend, Monica Amador, 21 of Yonkers, and Emmanuel Agesta, 30, of the Bronx.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/gun_ ... z17SIPQDFp