Man accused of illegally selling guns

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Buffalo man who police say sold guns to an undercover officer faced a judge Friday morning.

Kareem Howard, 23, is accused of selling nine guns illegally to undercover police in Buffalo. Friday morning he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Judge William Boller's state supreme courtroom.

Earlier this month Mayor Byron Brown and police announced the arrest of Howard. District Attorney Frank Sedita says Howard was involved in a gun trafficking operation between Buffalo and Georgia. He's charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal sale of a firearm. His attorney says he shouldn't be judged until all the evidence is out but the district attorney says people like Howard shouldn't be given any second chances.

The District Attorney says there's still too much violent crime but the homicide rate is down and he'd like to think it's because the city is cracking down on illegal gun sales.

Sedita said, “That's one more person off the street, and one more life we save, or one less shooting victim we have. Can I calculate that statistically? No, it’s impossible to do.”

Defense Attorney Emily Trott said, “With regard to this case, nothing should be said outside the courtroom in regards to the evidence, potential evidence, or strength of their case.”

Howard is being held on $100,000 bail. He could spend up to 30 years in prison if he's convicted of all the charges.