A former Philadelphia Corrections Officer is facing gun trafficking charges after she allegedly made “straw purchases” of firearms at gun shows in Montgomery County.
Amber Barr, 37, of Trevose, has been charged with unlawful sale or transfer of a firearm, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, materially false statements to authorities and related offenses, in connection with the joint investigation between the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The investigation began when two firearms that were allegedly purchased by Barr were found in the possession of individuals who were prohibited from purchasing, owning or carrying a firearm. Investigators said one was recovered following a shooting in Philadelphia on Dec. 30, 2020, and a second firearm was recovered during a traffic stop in Philadelphia on Feb. 23, 2021.
Police said between Dec. 16, 2018, and March 23, 2019, Barr allegedly purchased seven firearms — six of which were purchased at gun shows at the Greater Philadelphia Exo Center in Oaks, Montgomery County. Investigators said Barr reported two of the firearms as stolen two weeks after their purchase, and the remaining five firearms were no longer in her possession.
ATF agents interviewed Barr in November 2021 regarding the alleged firearms purchases and the two weapons that turned up during investigations by the Philadelphia Police Department, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Barr would resign from her corrections officer position following the interview, the district attorney’s office said.
Further investigation by the ATF and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau found that Barr had allegedly sold the firearms on an unnamed social media platform, then met with the buyers in person to complete the sale, according to the district attorney’s office.
“Buying and trafficking firearms to criminals is always a threat to public safety and is an egregious crime,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “We have firearms laws for a reason—and one of the biggest is to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and keep our communities safe. Law enforcement at all levels is committed to working together to fight the arming of criminals through these illegal straw purchases and gun trafficking.”
Barr was arraigned on the charges by District Judge Patricia Zaffarano, who set bail at $500,000 cash. Barr was then transported to county jail after failing to post bail. Her next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on March 29 at 9 a.m. in front of District Judge Cathleen Rebar.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Highland.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Investigation Launched into Fatal Montco Vehicle Crash
Montco Man Arrested After Attempting to Meet 13-Year-Old Girl for Sex, DA Says
Two Suspects Arrested in Connection with Montco Shooting, Two Others Remain at Large
Two More Arrest Warrants Issued in Connection with Saturday Night Homicide in Montco
