Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly made an announcement today, revealing that a man from South Carolina had been arraigned on a 59-count indictment. The charges stem from the illegal sale of almost a dozen firearms, which included both rifles and pistols. These transactions occurred between August 2023 and January 2024. The defendant was apprehended in early April while entering Nassau County. During the arrest, authorities allegedly found him in possession of two more firearms.
Kim Lilly, a 45-year-old resident of Greenville, South Carolina, appeared in court today before Judge Colin O’Donnell. She is facing multiple charges, including four counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, 22 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and 11 counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. These charges range from B violent felonies to E felonies. The defendant has been remanded and is scheduled to return to court on May 23, 2024. If found guilty, she could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
DA Donnelly stated that the defendant is accused of repeatedly traveling along the I-95 corridor and smuggling illegal firearms into Nassau County. The arrest of Kim Lilly on April 3rd led to the discovery of two additional handguns, one of which was defaced and concealed beneath the driver’s side floor mat of Lilly’s car. DA Donnelly expressed gratitude towards the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Nassau County Police Department for their collaborative efforts in investigating leads and apprehending firearms dealers who introduce these lethal weapons into our communities.
“The rampant trade of illegal firearms plays a significant role in fueling the surge of violent crime in our communities,” emphasized Thomas Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York Field Division. He further added, “This indictment highlights ATF’s unwavering dedication to collaborating with others and leveraging crime gun intelligence to disrupt the illicit gun market. We extend our gratitude to our partners and commend the collective efforts of the ATF Joint Firearms Task Force, Hempstead PD, and Nassau County DA’s Office.”
“The arrest and indictment of Kim Lilly from South Carolina will undoubtedly enhance the safety of our neighborhoods and communities by reducing the availability of illegal firearms,” stated Patrick Ryder, Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department. “Through this collaborative investigation across multiple jurisdictions, we have successfully put an end to the illegal trafficking of numerous firearms by the defendant. I commend all the diligent investigators and their affiliated agencies for their outstanding work.”
According to the charges, the defendant is accused of selling a total of 11 illegal firearms, including an assault rifle, an assault pistol, and pistols, on four separate dates between August 2023 and January 2024 in Freeport. It is alleged that all but one of the firearms were sold with accompanying ammunition and were loaded. The defendant is also accused of selling several high-capacity magazines.
The defendant is accused of trafficking the weapons from a pawn shop in South Carolina to Nassau County.
The defendant resided in Freeport before moving to South Carolina.
Members of the ATF Firearms Task Force apprehended the defendant in Farmingdale on April 3, 2024.
After Lilly was arrested, law enforcement conducted a search warrant on his vehicle and found two loaded handguns. The defendant appeared before Judge O’Donnell today and faced charges that included two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.
Lilly’s accomplice, Tomeca Jeter, 49, from South Carolina, who was present in the vehicle during the discovery of the additional weapons, was also brought before Judge O’Donnell today. Jeter has been charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. The bail has been set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond for Jeter. She is scheduled to appear in court again on May 23, 2024.
The Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit of the Narcotics, Firearms, and Gangs Bureau is prosecuting the case, with Unit Chief Lee Genser leading the prosecution. Jenna Spelke, Esq. is representing Lilly, while Lori Golombek, Esq. is representing Jeter.
The defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty, and the charges against them are only allegations.
