This offense is known as a straw purchase. The person Zastrow provided the firearms is prohibited by law from possessing firearms as a result of previous felony convictions and allegedly used one of the firearms purchased by Zastrow to commit a homicide. Wisconsin law makes it a crime to provide false information to a gun dealer with the intent to purchase a firearm and then transfer it to a person prohibited from obtaining one. In Wisconsin it's illegal for any one under 18 to have any kind of dangerous weapon. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. The charge against Zastrow was the result of an investigation conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Merrill Police Department, andFederal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Marshfield Police Department. "Straw purchasing a firearm is a federal crime with serious consequences," said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Tony Evers. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. She disputed the defense attorney's characterization of Huber as a "rioter" or "looter." Stay in the know. Ashley Zastrow, 32, from Merrill, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. He said he had gone downtown the night of August 25, 2020 and dozens of other nights that summer to provide medical aid to anyone in need, regardless of political affiliation. It is this intent that matters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted this case. Seven years earlier, a study found as many as half of dealers from large U.S. cities expressed a willingness to participate in such a purchase. 924(a)(1)(A). The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. A straw purchase occurs when somebody purchases a firearm for another person while pretending to purchase it for personal use. May 19, 2018: Valentine purchased seven handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. Get Guns.com offers and news!! In sentencing Zastrow, Judge Conley stated that she made a disastrous choice to transfer firearms to a prohibited person and could not ignore the fact that this choice contributed to a womans death. MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. This is not the same thing as purchasing a firearm as a genuine, bonafide gift. "In sentencing Zastrow, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley stated that she made a disastrous choice to transfer firearms to a prohibited person and could not ignore the fact that this choice contributed to a womans death. Federally licensed firearm dealers are required to perform background checks for those seeking to buy a firearm. MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ashley Zastrow, 32, Merrill, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. Giving someone a firearm carries a certain level of legal responsibility that does not come with gifting iPads or socks. Each count of the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Answer (1 of 29): This will just be another embarrassing moment for the left's ridiculous attempts to convict someone for something that was completely legal. According to a press release form the Western District of Wisconsin U.S. Department of Justice: An investigation by law enforcement revealed that Zastrow purchased these firearms for someone who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. ROCKFORD A federal judge has sentenced a Rockford man to five years and four months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm in Rockford, to be followed by ROCKFORD A former inmate of the United States Penitentiary in Thomson, Ill. was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison for assaulting a federal correctional officer. With other recent changes in the law, straw purchases, and people charged with other gun crimes, now face severe criminal penalties. We are tired of t. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased the firearms from an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of the purchase. When I dress Western, nothing beats the classic good looks of my Smith & Wesson (S&W) 586 .357 revolver. Short answer: it depends. The 29-year-old Indiana man allegedly acted as a straw purchaser to buy the firearm used to kill Chicago police Officer Ella French. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, including by prosecuting individuals who illegally purchase firearms. 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firearms dealer can deliver the firearm to the purchaser. Ritchie will also serve extended supervision after his release. MADISON, WI (WSAU) A Merrill woman has been sentenced for making false statements to secure the purchase of two firearms, a practice known as a straw purchase. May 19, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. CHICAGO A Chicago resident has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for setting fire to the Boost Mobile Store Eastern Division
While this was a misdemeanor charge for a very long time, in 2010 the Wisconsin legislature voted to make straw purchases a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. All Rights Reserved, Gov. A jury fully acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse on Friday, bringing a close to the high-profile and often tense trial that reflected America's deep political polarization. This prison term will be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Feds say 'straw buyer' purchased 39 handguns for a felon since July, paid more than $25,000 cash to firearms dealers. Even if gun dealers dont end up following through on the transaction, a survey of a random sample of 1,601 licensed dealers during the summer of 2011 found that more than two-thirds 67.3 percent had experienced attempted straw purchases. Scott Walker on Wednesday approved a measure touted as making it easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms in the state. Seven states have laws that penalize sellers who transfer firearms to traffickers under certain circumstances, according to Giffords, a gun violence advocacy group. 20 Colorado for Pac-12 title berth, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to rocky start. without the transfer creating a "straw purchase". Instead, Ritchie passed the guns off to Victor Pennington in exchange for meth. When a person buys a gun intending to later sell it to someone else, the government often prosecutes the initial buyer under 18 U.S.C. You have permission to edit this article. Straw purchase is a purchase where a purchaser knowingly acquiring an item or service for someone. To complete the purchase,she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. The gun seller can also be held liable under 18 U.S.C. Purchasing firearms for people prohibited from owning them, commonly known as straw purchases, would be a felony in Wisconsin if a newly introduced bill is passed into law. He was ordered released on bond, and a status hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17, 2019, before U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee. The person that Zastrow bought the firearms for was a convicted felon. Someone makes a straw purchase when they purchase a gun on behalf of someone else who may not be . GRGB Law serves people in the greater Milwaukee area and all of SE Wisconsin, as well as Midstate Wisconsin and throughout the state, including: You do not have JavaScript enabled. This offense is known as a "straw purchase." The person Zastrow provided the firearms is prohibited by law from possessing firearms as a result of previous felony convictions and allegedly. Zastrow's prison term will be followed by a 3-year stint on supervised release. A Cold War era classic with smooth lines, a legendary back story, and an exotic-sounding name, Beretta's Model 71 was definitely a mouse that roared. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! On one hand, a straw purchase is when one person buys a gun for someone else who cannot buy one, because they cannot pass a background check. The backers of the proposal, which passed the legislature on a voice vote, say the move was requested by the Milwaukee Police Department. A popular rumor that spread following the August 2020 shootings was the idea that Rittenhouse's mother, Wendy Rittenhouse, drove her teenaged son to the protests. Two Minnesotans were recently charged and convicted for committing the crime. Johnson. One thing is clear; whether you face federal charges or state charges, being accused of making a straw purchase can carry lengthy prison sentences and result in a felony conviction with substantial fines. In states where there is no specific law prohibiting a straw purchase, the federal law will apply. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Urban Health that screened 149 licensed retailers in California found roughly 1 in 5 agreed to participate in a straw purchase of a handgun. K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. Therefore, if you are being charged with making a straw purchase of a firearm, it is very important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side from the very beginning. Dept. Kyle Ritchie was found guilty of buying four guns from a licensed dealer in Wausau last year by representing himself as the actual buyer. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. Have a question about Government Services? The recent decision against a Milwaukee gun store in the shooting of two Milwaukee police officers has brought the issue of straw purchases of firearms to the forefront. -1 23 more replies MenaFWM 1 yr. ago "Why was he there? Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. Please call us today at (972) 369-0577 to schedule a . The judge noted that the prosecution did not find any evidence of his affiliation with a white supremacist group in phone records or social media history, and as Michelle Mark previously reported, ruled the trip to the bar was not relevant to the 2020 shooting. Home Press Releases Dept. The person purchase on behalf of other when the other person is unable to purchase the item or service themselves is not considered as an illegal act. You have permission to edit this article. Success! A straw purchase or nominee purchase is any purchase wherein an agent agrees to acquire a good or service for someone who is often unable or unwilling to purchase the good or service themselves, and the agent transfers the goods or services to that person after purchasing them. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives provided assistance. The firearms in question were used by Tanner Graap. Dominick Black, a friend of Rittenhouse who was 18 at the time, testified earlier in the trial that Rittenhouse paid him to buy the rifle from a hardware store in Wisconsin back in May 2020. This crime is being prosecuted more vigorously as of late, and comes with a potential for a very long prison sentence. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Section 941.2905 - Straw purchasing of firearms (1) Whoever intentionally furnishes, purchases, or possesses a firearm for a person, knowing that the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm under s. 941.29 (1m), is guilty of a Class G felony. Valentine, 23, of La Crosse, Wisc., and Rocha, 28, are charged with conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, and unlawfully dealing and importing firearms. It is classified as a serious crime in Illinois (Class 2 felony), but police rarely. The other hand shows a straw purchase as buying a gun and selling it directly to someone who can pass their own background check, without actually taking the background check. An indictment. The prison term will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. A "straw" purchase is a firearm purchase when one person buys the firearm with the intent of giving the gun to another person for their primary use. On January 13, 2022, Zastrow purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids. Attorneys Albert Berry III and Elizabeth Pozolo. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. March 8, 2018: Valentine purchased three handguns at Gander Outdoors in Onalaska, Wisc. But Rittenhouse has never publicly identified as a member of any extremist group. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. This is illegal. MADISON (WJFW) - A Merrill woman was sentenced on Thursday to one year and one day in prison for making false statements during the purchase of two firearms. May 17, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns at Holmen Pawn Shop in Holmen, Wisc. of Justice: Merrill woman sentenced to prison for making false statements during purchase of firearms. It is a bill that would prohibit so-called "straw purchases" of firearms; it would make this practice a fourth-degree felony in New Mexico, according to a press release from the governor's office. The teenager pleaded not guilty to all five counts and testified that he acted in self-defense, saying the men he shot were attacking him. CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Wisconsin man is charged with providing the gun to teenager Kyle Rittenhouse who then allegedly killed two men during the unrest in late August. Fighting violent crime is a top priority in our office, and we are committed to holding accountable those who engage in illicit firearm transactions.. During this 10-day waiting period, the DOJ conducts a firearm eligibility background check to ensure the purchaser is not prohibited from lawfully possessing firearms. Perhaps the most persistent myth surrounding the case is the idea that Rittenhouse, then 17, brought an AR-15 across state lines. MADISON, WI (WSAU) A Merrill woman has been sentenced for making false statements to secure the purchase of two firearms, a practice known as a straw purchase. First, contrary to what most people think, no Federal Law prohibits you from buying a gun as a gift for someone else. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Learn how you can help drug endangered children. While straw buying is primarily prosecuted on the federal level, Wisconsin is not the first state to recently adopt their own statutes on the crime. Authorities argued that arming prosecutors with the ability to go after those obtaining or holding firearms for those who are legally barred from having them will help cut down on gun crime in the city. Top Ukrainian intelligence official: Russia will run out of military Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. With no legislative text, the specifics of a crackdown on straw purchases remain unclear. Sentencing Guidelines. Gifting vs Straw Purchasing. Rittenhouse testified that he and Black went downtown because they were invited to guard the Car Source, a Kenosha car dealership, during the unrest and were under the impression they were going to be paid. During the investigation, law enforcement utilized ATFs National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. Pennington will be sentenced for his role in the incident (one count of distributing meth) next January. Straw purchasers and firearm traffickers enable unlawful possession of guns and the violence that may follow, said John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Error! Here is the reason. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Rocha was arrested in Wisconsin on Aug. 9, 2019. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted this case. Straw purchases are deemed a federal crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A small number of states also penalize the actual buyer in straw purchases. I have no answer. The bipartisan group of senators announced on Sunday that it would seek to crack down on those purchases as part of an agreement on a series of gun-related proposals. The offense is known as a 'straw purchase.' The person that Zastrow bought the firearms for was a convicted felon. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The governor and Lane are supporting House Bill 306. This indictment demonstrates the FBIs commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to help stop the flow of illegal guns into our neighborhoods., We are going to continue to use the full weight of the Chicago Police Department and U.S. Justice Department to send a clear message that we will not tolerate the proliferation and use of illegal guns in Chicago, said CPD Supt. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased the firearms from an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of the purchase. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Generally, secretly purchasing a gun on someone else's behalf from a gun dealer, called a straw purchase, is illegal. In all, the agency logged 2,420 firearms in 2016, a rate of 407 per 100,000 people. Everytown for Gun Safety and other gun control groups have called on Congress to strengthen laws governing gun trafficking and straw purchases. Rockford, IL 61101, Chicago: (312) 353-5300
Black said he used Rittenhouse's . Earlier this week, Judge Bruce Schroeder threw out a count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 after Rittenhouse's defense argued the rifle was not short-barreled, capitalizing on an exception to the Wisconsin statute involving the barrel length of a gun. Although there are exceptions, generally all firearm purchasers must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any firearm. The case was brought forward through a multi-jurisdiction effort between law enforcement in Lincoln and Wood counties along with the FBI. Should I Move Out of My Home During My Divorce? The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin DOJ- Division of Criminal Investigation, and the FBI. If they ask you to buy it, fill out the 4473 in your name, and then pay you . During sentencing, Judge William M. Conley said that she made a 'disastrous' choice to transfer firearms to a felon and he could not ignore that it allegedly contributed to a woman's death. Ashley Zastrow, 32, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. Law enforcement agents call people who buy guns for those who aren't legally . He was acquitted on all counts. Both the purchaser and the intended buyer are criminally liable under these statutes; the actual buyer is criminally liable for aiding and abetting the straw purchase, and for causing another to make false statements. Walker signed the measure bumping up the penalty for an illegal straw purchase of a gun under Wisconsin law from nine months to six years in prison. After he pleaded not guilty to the initial charges in January 2021, prosecutors said Rittenhouse went to a bar in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, where he posed for photos with members said to be of the Proud Boys while flashing a "white power" hand signal. Anthony Huber's girlfriend told the New York Post that she and Huber, 26, were protesting that night. This is known as a "straw purchase" and is a crime. If the end recipient is not disclosed to the gun dealer/seller, they cannot run the background check for the actual purchaser/owner.
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