Erhan John Er, a former cross-border truck driver based in Sarasota, was sentenced on Apr. 2 to four years and three months in federal prison for his involvement in an international firearms trafficking conspiracy. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven after Er pleaded guilty on December 19, 2024, according to United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The case centers on Er’s activities between February and September 2022, during which he purchased firearms in Sarasota and Naples, Florida with the intention of smuggling them into Canada for a co-conspirator. Court documents show that Er bought a total of 28 guns and transported them across the Canadian border, receiving payment covering his expenses plus $1,000 Canadian dollars per gun.
Canadian authorities have since recovered ten of these firearms at crime scenes in Ontario and Quebec. All recovered weapons had their serial numbers removed; however, investigators were able to restore the serial numbers and trace them back to purchases made by Er in Florida.
“Er falsely claimed to gun dealers that he was buying guns for himself, only to smuggle the guns into Canada, where they were used in multiple crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “Working together with our local, federal, and international partners, this scheme was uncovered and Er has been brought to justice.” OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau said: “This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of cross border partnerships in protecting our communities. The OPP remains committed to working closely with our Canadian and U.S. law enforcement partners to disrupt organized criminal networks, enhance public safety and prevent illegal firearms from crossing our shared border.”
The investigation involved cooperation among numerous agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; several Canadian police services; as well as sheriff’s offices from Manatee County and Sarasota County.
