HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced felony charges against two Philadelphia men accused of illegally possessing and transferring firearms in cases investigators said were heavily documented through social media posts.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said the investigation was conducted by the Attorney General’s Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force in collaboration with the Philadelphia Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to investigators, Kobe Artis, 24, and Dennis Brown, 34, were both charged with multiple felony offenses tied to alleged illegal firearm possession and transfers in Philadelphia.
Authorities alleged investigators discovered social media posts showing both defendants in possession of firearms and participating in illegal firearm transfers.
According to investigators, Brown — who police said is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction — allegedly appeared in multiple online posts displaying firearms investigators believe were obtained from Artis.
Authorities also alleged Artis posted videos threatening physical violence while possessing firearms.
Investigators said Artis allegedly posted videos while openly carrying firearms in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and claimed he would “hand out ARs to every 18-year-old with an ID.” In additional posts, authorities alleged Artis was seen allowing individuals on the street to handle firearms.
Police said Artis was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon in a grocery store parking lot in Kensington during a stop involving Philadelphia police and agents with the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force.
According to investigators, authorities allegedly recovered an assault-style rifle, a 9mm handgun, marijuana packets, and ammunition from Artis at the time of his arrest.
Police said Artis was arraigned and bail was set at 10% of $1 million. Authorities said Brown was not in custody as of the announcement.
The cases will be prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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