HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrest and charges against Michael Brickle, 37, of Philadelphia, for the illegal purchase and distribution of nearly two dozen firearms. The charges stem from incidents dating back to 2014, with a significant spike in activity in 2022 when Brickle allegedly purchased 21 guns in just nine months.
Brickle is accused of “straw purchasing” a total of 23 firearms – buying guns and then selling or transferring them to individuals who are not legally permitted to own them. Notably, none of these firearms were reported as lost or stolen. At least six of the guns were recovered in separate criminal investigations across the Philadelphia area, with links to drug crimes, a shooting incident, and one case involving a suicide.
Facing over 40 felony counts for violating the Uniform Firearms Act, Brickle’s charges include illegal firearms transfer, making false statements during firearm purchases, conspiracy, tampering with records, and other related offenses. He was arraigned on Wednesday with bail set at $1 million.