Pair arrested following firearms investigation in Dover

DOVER, Del. – Dover Police arrested two people on Thursday following an investigation into the illegal purchasing of firearms.

The investigation began when law enforcement learned that one of the suspects, 32-year-old Brittney Wharton, had purchased several firearms, high-capacity magazines, and ammunition for a second suspect, 42-year-old Nathaniel Cooper. Police say Cooper is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On Thursday, detectives executed a search warrant on a residence in the unit block of Fair Wind Place, which was associated with Wharton and Cooper. During the search, police found high capacity firearm magazines, ammunition, Psilocybin mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were subsequently taken into custody.

Wharton was charged with five counts of giving a firearm to a person prohibited, seven counts of engaging in a firearms transaction on behalf of another, six counts of intentionally making false oral or written statements intended or likely to deceive a firearm dealer, providing a false statement to law enforcement, and second degree conspiracy. She was released on an unsecured bail.

Cooper was charged with possession of a large capacity magazine, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held at SCI on a $26,200 cash bail.