(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 23-year-old North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally sell firearms, including privately manufactured guns without serial numbers, in a case involving weapons recovered during separate criminal investigations in Buffalo.

Jerry Antonio Baine, also known as Bank 3x, of Durham, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in the firearms business without a license, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.

The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison.

Federal prosecutors said Baine conspired with Hassain Humphrey, Keishawn Turner, Jylin Woods and Benjamin Martin between March 2023 and June 23, 2025, to illegally sell firearms.

During that period, Baine sent Humphrey photographs of approximately 19 firearms, several of which were privately manufactured and lacked serial numbers. The two discussed potential sale prices, and Baine expressed concern during one exchange that a proposed price would not provide enough profit.

According to prosecutors, the pair used terms such as “ghost” and “P80” in text messages when discussing certain privately manufactured firearms.

Baine purchased multiple firearms from retail establishments in North Carolina, prosecutors said. One was recovered during a separate criminal investigation in Buffalo on July 4, 2024, while another was recovered during a separate investigation on June 19, 2026.

During an interview with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in October 2024, Baine acknowledged purchasing multiple firearms for Humphrey in North Carolina. He also confirmed knowing that Humphrey and another individual were reselling firearms in New York.

Baine said he sold the weapons to Humphrey because he was unemployed and needed money. He acknowledged that neither he nor Humphrey held the federal licenses required to operate as firearms dealers or engage in the other regulated firearms activities described in the case.

Humphrey and Turner were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Woods and Martin.

Baine is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis A. Testani and Monica Benjovsky are prosecuting the case. The investigation involved the Buffalo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.