CHICAGO — -(AmmoLand.com)- A man has been indicted on federal firearm charges for allegedly straw purchasing handguns in a suburban Chicago store on behalf of another individual.
JUSTIN GARCIA purchased a handgun in 2019 and another in 2020 from a licensed firearms dealer in Crete, Ill., and falsely certified on federal forms that he was the actual buyer, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. In reality, Garcia purchased the guns on behalf of another individual, the charges allege.
Garcia, 24, of Chicago, is charged with two counts of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday during his arraignment in federal court in Chicago. A status hearing is set for Sept. 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Franklin U. Valderrama.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan DeMarco.
Each charge in the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.
Why did he go all the way to Crete? According to Father Pfleger, all of the guns in Chicago are coming from Chuck’s in Blue Island.
F the ATF!!!!
“The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance.”
I’ll bet they did.
They probably took a knee. At least Lightfoot did for sure.
She is one of the biggest scumbags in the United States. She is right up there with Maxine Waters and Chuck Schumer.
Did the atf buy this website? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!
Scare tactics. Oh look we can prosecute you for BS.
worse they can fake the “facts” and have to persecute someone
This is a story of interest. You must know what your enemies are doing.
HLB
maybe they are trying to put in front of the public in general that they ARE “doing something” about all those nasty guns which are obtained “illegally”. I’d far rather they wait until one of these dirtbags DOES something bad withtheirguns, then use this sort of charge as enhancements to put them away for a long time. Guns floating about “out there” are not the problem. The problem is the hands that take them up and do evil with them. Prosecute THEM. The hardware is not the issue. Who holds it and what they DO with it is the issue.… Read more »
Yes, this is the situation on many government fronts. Call it pro-active if you will. Only people who actively engage in harmful actions should be of any concern.
HLB
I partially agree with this.
We need to know why and possibly for whom these guns were intended for. Stop the actual criminals (the guy who forged documents or this guy who was intentionally buying guns for someone else)
Obviously there is some criminal intent.
I still think ATF should be abolished.
@ruger264,
The aft must have been in a hot bidding war with the work at home scammers.
ATFare shitting themselves right now. David Chipman nomination is dead now.
That’s definitely a win for the 2A community. They are trying to sway favor from us. Do not buy into their crap