A Dallas Police Department sergeant faces federal charges after allegedly stealing and selling department-issued firearms at an Oklahoma pawn shop.
According to USA TODAY, Thomas Michael Fry, 52, has been indicted on three counts of possession and sale of stolen firearms, with state authorities adding additional charges for the theft of police weapons.
The case highlights a growing nationwide crisis involving former law enforcement weapons being used in criminal activities. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recently revealed that over 25,000 weapons used in crimes between 2019 and 2023 were previously owned by law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement weapons frequently resurface in violent crimes nationwide
The ATF report shows an alarming trend where more than 14% of recovered former police weapons were linked to homicides and violent crimes. Police departments across the country commonly trade their used firearms to gun dealers in exchange for discounts on new weapons, a practice that has come under increasing scrutiny.
Chad Meacham, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, emphasized the significance of the breach of trust in Fry's case. The sergeant, who worked in detention services at the department's southeast division, allegedly removed several 9mm Sig Sauer pistols from administrative lockers during the summer of 2022.
The Dallas Police Department has remained tight-lipped about the incident, with senior corporal Brian Martinez stating that the department does not comment on pending litigation.
Police departments grapple with weapon disposal policies amid rising concerns
A 1998 policy resolution by the International Association of Chiefs of Police recommended mandatory destruction of unnecessary law enforcement weapons. However, some states continue to require resale of such firearms, despite mounting evidence of their involvement in criminal activities.
Recent investigations have uncovered numerous cases of law enforcement officers illegally selling weapons. One notable case involved Bradley Wendt, the former police chief of Adair, Iowa, who was convicted of exploiting his position to acquire and sell weapons for personal gain.
The problem extends beyond individual cases of misconduct. Between 2016 and 2023, more than 72,000 firearms disappeared from gun dealers' inventories without proper documentation of sale or disposal.
Growing crisis demands immediate attention from law enforcement agencies
A comprehensive investigation by multiple news organizations discovered that since 2006, over 52,000 former law enforcement firearms have been connected to various crimes. These weapons have been involved in shootings, domestic violence incidents, and drug-related arrests.
The current case involving Sergeant Fry carries severe consequences. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison, along with state charges for firearm theft. He has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
Attempts to reach Fry's attorney, Mitch Monthie of Fort Worth, for comment were unsuccessful.
Looking ahead State authorities seek answers and accountability
The indictment of Sergeant Thomas Michael Fry represents a significant breach of public trust within the Dallas Police Department. The case involves the theft and illegal sale of department-issued 9mm Sig Sauer pistols at an Oklahoma pawn shop during the summer of 2022 while Fry was assigned to the southeast division's detention services.
The incident adds to the mounting concerns about the management and tracking of law enforcement weapons across the United States. With over 25,000 former police weapons involved in crimes between 2019 and 2023, and more than 14% of these linked to violent crimes, the case underscores the urgent need for stricter controls and accountability measures in police departments' weapon management systems.
