Editors Note: The following press release is directly from ATF. Regular readers of AmmoLand News know our stance on the unaccountable Federal Agency: No comment. We invite our readers to leave their hard-hitting insights in the comments below.
NORFOLK, Va. – -(Ammoland.com)- A Chesapeake man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false statements in connection with 45 firearm transactions.
According to court documents, from June 2019 through June 2020, Kevin Staton, Jr., 23, engaged in the business of buying and selling 45 firearms without a license. In furtherance of this illegal activity, he made false official statements on ATF forms in order to buy firearms. Staton claimed he was the actual buyer of the firearms, but, in actuality, he was purchasing the firearms for other individuals or with intent to resell them. Staton would coordinate with co-conspirators to identify firearms for purchase through online firearm marketplaces.
When Staton was interviewed by ATF agents he said, “Guns are like money,” and “I’m buying them knowing I’m going to be selling them.”
At least 15 of the 45 firearms Staton purchased were recovered from crime scenes in other cities and states. All but one of those firearms had been used for a crime or recovered by law enforcement less than one year after purchase from Staton.
Staton is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27, 2022. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Greg D. Underwood, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-141.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of the federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.
A new law making it illegal to sell a firearm you currently own must be in the works? If you buy an item, you have the right to sell it anytime you wish. Seems in VA. if you sell a firearm you own, you’re suddenly at the top of the “violent offender” list with ATF.
Abolish the ATF
No, but like with all criminal lovers you attempt to blame others
Excellent projection, Comrade.
He loves the taste of that boot.
Let’s face it, he was an unlicensed dealer. If he had done 5 guns and kept them all he would have gotten off with a warning. But he did 45 guns with the guns going into crime circl]es shes he was a dirty dealer..
The “licensing” of dealers is unconstitutional.
Unfortunately, the S. Ct said that licensing of the business is within Congress’s authority to control commerce.
We all know, however, that the GCA was not really intended to control commerce, but rather restrict the Second Amendment.
Looks like the government thugs are bragging about armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping, and violation of rights again.
⅓ of the firearms he bought and sold were actually recovered from crime scenes within one year of him selling them? How many more of his sold items have been USED in crimes?
15 years isn’t long enough.
What part of “SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED” is hard to understand? The atfe is a treasonous, tyrannical, unconstitutional branch of government and should be banned, prosecuted and jailed for their crimes. So the guy sells his guns, so what? You would never sell your car? House? Boat? Gun? This is just more PROOF of job justification by the atfe.
Arm up and carry on