Catawba County Man Indicted In Federal Gun Case

A federal grand jury in Charlotte returned a criminal indictment charging 39-year-old Joshua Herman Phillips of Claremont with gun offenses. He’s been indicted for gun trafficking, possession of a machinegun, and dealing in firearms without a license. The announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

According to allegations in the indictment, between July and August 2024, Phillips engaged in the trafficking of 23 firearms in Catawba County. The firearms included handguns and AR type rifles.

The indictment also alleges that Phillips possessed a privately made firearm. He’s charged with possessing an AR Style Rifle chambered in 7.62 x 39, which is classified as a machinegun.

This case is prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also filed charges against ten defendants for illegal possession of firearms and related offenses. In June, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced efforts to enhance safety across communities in Western North Carolina, especially during the summer months when violent crime historically increases.

As a result of those efforts, over the summer, the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicted 65 individuals for illegally buying, selling, or possessing firearms, committing a violent crime, or using a firearm in the commission of the crime.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY