Suspect in Pearson gold heist sentenced to 13+ years for gun smuggling
Durante King-Mclean, 27, pleaded guilty in U.S. case; Pennsylvania police found 65 handguns in his vehicle.
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A man alleged to be the driver in the April 2023 Pearson Airport gold heist has been sentenced to more than 13 years in U.S. prison for attempted gun smuggling.
Durante King-Mclean, 27, was sentenced on Tuesday to 160 months in prison for conspiring to illegally traffic in firearms after reaching a plea deal. The conviction stemmed from a Pennsylvania State Police traffic stop on September 2, 2023. King-Mclean attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase. Police then searched his vehicle and found 65 handguns, each individually hidden in socks.
Peel Regional Police have alleged the guns were likely purchased with proceeds from the Pearson heist. King-Mclean had been living in the United States illegally since shortly after the gold theft and was travelling from an Airbnb in Florida to Canada when he was stopped. Peel police allege King-Mclean was the man behind the wheel of the white van that pulled away from an Air Canada cargo building on April 17, 2023, with more than $20 million worth of gold, plus large amounts of foreign currency. It remains unclear whether he will be extradited to face charges related to the gold heist in Canada.