BRIDGEPORT, CT (WFSB) – A man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking 24 guns out of Georgia.

That man has been identified as Tyree Thomas, 39, of Bridgeport.

U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden sentenced Thomas to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Officials said Thomas’ criminal record includes felonies and he was not allowed to purchase firearms.

Between August and December 2021, Thomas traveled to Georgia multiple times, used a family member to buy guns, and purchased approximately 24 firearms.

Police said Thomas brought the guns to Connecticut, where he sold them to others, including criminals, gang members and minors.

Nine of Thomas’ firearms were recovered. Police said some of the guns he sold were used in incidents that resulted in deaths, injuries and a suicide.

Fifteen of his weapons have not been found.

Thomas was arrested in September 2023. In July, he pleaded guilty to crossing state lines with intent to engage in illegal firearms trafficking.

He was released on $100,000 bail and is due in jail on January 7.

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