Delco Man Bought Guns For Convicted Felons: District Attorney

SECANE, PA — Felony firearm sale charges have been filed against a Delaware County man who is accused of buying guns for people who are legally prohibited from owning them due to convictions.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said James Ennis, 45, of Secane, has been charged with the illegal sale of firearms, making materially false statements in connection with the purchase of firearms, the sale of firearms to an ineligible purchaser, and criminal conspiracy, all felonies.

Authorities allege Ennis bought multiple guns for people who are barred from possessing guns after being convicted of crimes.

"The defendant knowingly purchased multiple firearms for individuals who were legally prohibited from possessing guns. In total, Ennis purchased eleven guns – only three of which have been recovered. Illegal purchases such as those made by this defendant put guns in the hands of criminals, endangering our entire community, particularly members of law enforcement. Straw purchasing is a serious crime with serious consequences," Stollsteimer said. "Our strong partnership with municipal police departments is essential to solving these cases. I particularly want to acknowledge the work of Officer Stephen Lis of the Tinicum Police Department and Detectives Dave Tyler and James Simpkins of the Criminal Investigation Division for their work on this case."

The charges stem from a Sept. 29, 2020 vehicle stop in Tinicum.

Officer Lis conducted the stop, which resulted in the arrest of Nicholas Danese for possession of a Glock 9MM pistol.

The firearm was run through the National Crime Information Center and it had not been reported stolen. When the firearm was checked in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ ETRACE system, it was determined that the firearm had been purchased by Ennis on Aug. 12, 2020 at the Targetmaster Gun Store in Chadds Ford.

Additional research revealed Ennis bought 11 firearms, two of which had been recovered in Philadelphia, and one of which had been recovered in Tinicum from Danese, authorities said.

Simpkins and Tyler met with Ennis on Oct. 13, 2020, at his home in Secane.

Initially, Ennis told authorities that all his firearms had been stolen, although no reports had been made. After further questioning, Ennis admitted to buying the guns for other persons and was paid $200 to $500 for each firearm he purchased.

Ennis said Danese paid him to purchase some of the firearms, and that he assumed that Danese was a convicted felon and was, therefore, prohibited from purchasing firearms.

Enacted in 2013, Pennsylvania’s straw purchaser law, otherwise known as the Brad Fox law, provides that defendants face a minimum of five years in prison if convicted.

Ennis is being held at George W. Hill Correctional Facility and had bail set at $50,000, cash.