But as Rittenhouse testified, the teenager drove himself to Kenosha ahead of the protests. Remington's Nylon 66 semi-automatic .22 LR rifles have grown from 1950s bargain buys to 21st century collectors darlings. An official website of the United States government. The indictment was returned Aug. 1, 2019, and ordered unsealed Wednesday. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. May 19, 2018: Valentine purchased seven handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. Any violations of these laws can result in a 10-year prison sentence and fines up to $250,000. Each count of the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Fighting violent crime is a top priority in our office, and we are committed to holding accountable those who engage in illicit firearm transactions.. Graap will next be in court again on May 8th at 11 a.m. for a Motion hearing. How Old Do You Have to be to Buy a Gun in Wisconsin? 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. This prison term will be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Your intent is to act as the agent. 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. However, you should beware of what is known as a straw purchase, which is illegal. Giving someone a firearm carries a certain level of legal responsibility that does not come with gifting iPads or socks. 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. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. Prosecutors had said they wanted Jamel Danzy held in custody, and a detention hearing had been set for Wednesday. During a trip to Black's family's hunting property in May 2020, Black agreed to buy a rifle for Rittenhouse, who was 17 and couldn't lawfully buy or possess one. Please call us today at (972) 369-0577 to schedule a . He was acquitted on all counts. In addition, the measure carries a mandatory minimum of four years in prison for repeat offenders involved in firearm-related crime if they are charged with three subsequent misdemeanors or one felony within a five-year period. But a GOP aide involved in the negotiations told The Hill on Sunday that the deal is an agreement on principles, not legislative text and that some of the principles could be dropped if lawmakers do not agree to a final text. Straw purchases are deemed a federal crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Johnson. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's The campaign was designed to prevent and discourage illegal straw purchases. Judge William Conley said Ritchie knew he was purchasing guns for a known drug dealer, which warranted a prison sentence even though he has no prior sentences on his record. In 2012, Pennsylvania established the so-called Brad Fox Law named after a police officer shot in the head by a felon who had illegally purchased a gun through a third party. If you were arrested or charged with a crime in connection to an alleged straw purchase, we can help. Every time the left tries to harm innocent law abiding citizens, it runs the risk of conservative Americans lashing out. Gun Shows. (2) The prohibition in sub. Judge Conley also reasoned that a prison sentence was warranted given the defendants poor performance on pre-trial release and nominal efforts to confront her methamphetamine addiction. 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. Who Can't Buy a Gun in Wisconsin? A straw purchaser can be identified as a person with a clean background who purchases firearms specifically on behalf of a person prohibited from purchasing a firearm because that prohibited person is a convicted felon, domestic violence misdemeanant, juvenile, an individual who has been adjudicated mentally ill or one who is prohibited for other First things first, if you have reasonable cause to believe the person you're gifting a firearm to is prohibited from possessing . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Judge gave him the break of a lifetime by obfuscating two different statues. We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen! The civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, falsely described Rittenhouse on Friday as a "self-declared white nationalist." Merrill woman sentenced for making false statements while purchasing firearms, Liverpool and United call on fans to stop 'tragedy chanting', Rangers, Bruins among winners at close of NHL trade deadline, Skier Shiffrin's quest for 86th win extended after downhill, Jin Young Ko leads by 2 after 3rd round at LPGA Singapore, Western Illinois plays in Summit Tournament against the St. Thomas, Washington St. stuns No. A straw purchase is one in which one Person "A" buys a firearm for Person "B", at Person "B's" request. Huber's great aunt, Susan Hughes, also testified at Rittenhouse's trial, saying Huber knew Jacob Blake personally and was upset by his shooting. Error! An indictment. CHICAGO Two men have been indicted on federal firearm charges for conspiring to straw purchase 19 handguns in Wisconsin and re-sell them in Chicago. 922(a)(6) and 18 U.S.C. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased these firearms for an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. Thanks to Governor Walker, prosecutors should be able to make gun charges stick and get dangerous criminals off the streets.. The agreement follows days of closed-door talks after a string of high-profile mass shootings, including at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), Two Men Indicted in Scheme to Straw Purchase Firearms in Wisconsin and Re-Sell Them in Chicago, Federal Judge Sentences Rockford Man to More Than Five Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm in Rockford, Federal Inmate Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Assaulting Federal Correctional Officer, Chicago Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Setting Fire to Cell Phone Store, Two Men Indicted In Scheme To Straw Purchase Firearms In Wisconsin and Re Sell Them In Chicago. The family has a 13-acre property with an old gravel pit used as a gun range. Ashley Zastrow, 32, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. Should I Move Out of My Home During My Divorce? Video of 17-year-old Kyle. Two Minnesotans were recently charged and convicted for committing the crime. FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that criminal charges have been filed against Denell Logan for first degree intentional homicide, felon in passion of a firearm, repeater, and possession of THC, repeater. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The firearms in question were used by Tanner Graap. Rittenhouse and his friend, Dominick Black, testified that Black, who was 18 at the time, used Rittenhouse's money to purchase the weapon at a Wisconsin hardware store in May 2020. WisPolitics.com DC breakfast with U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, WisPolitics luncheon with Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin. Pennington will be sentenced for his role in the incident (one count of distributing meth) next January. The 29-year-old Indiana man allegedly acted as a straw purchaser to buy the firearm used to kill Chicago police Officer Ella French. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. MADISON, WI (WSAU) A Schofield man will serve two years in federal prison for making false statements to secure the purchase of a firearm for another man. It is this intent that matters. Rittenhouse did testify that his mother drove him to a local police station to surrender following the shootings. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. . Here are the states where residents will pay the biggest share of their income I never realized: Airbnb hosts warn of scam taking advantage of Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary blasts Ocasio-Cortez: She kills jobs by the Florida bill would require bloggers to register before writing about DeSantis, Trump collaborates on song with Jan. 6 defendants. 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. The straw purchaser violates both of these laws by pretending to be the actual gun buyer when the purpose is to give the gun to another. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. 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. Short answer: it depends. The charges Zastrow faced stemmed from one of the guns she purchased was used in a homicide. Have a question about Government Services? This prison term will be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. It is a serious danger to our communities. . 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. Assembly Bill 524 and its counterpart, Senate Bill 408, were introduced in August by state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills. The gun seller can also be held liable under 18 U.S.C. Rockford, IL 61101, Chicago: (312) 353-5300 You have permission to edit this article. I have no answer. 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. 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. Rittenhouse was also charged with reckless endangerment of two additional men. Anthony Huber's girlfriend told the New York Post that she and Huber, 26, were protesting that night. 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. When a bipartisan group of 20 senators announced a framework deal for gun-related legislation on Sunday, it said one point of the nine-pronged proposal cracks down on people who illegally straw purchase and traffic guns. 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. The charge against Zastrow was the result of an investigation conducted bythe Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Merrill Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Marshfield Police Department. You should know the laws that apply to buying firearms as gifts for another person. The bill, SB 408, was among 41 signed by. A 2015 survey of gun owners conducted by researchers at Harvard and Northeastern universities estimated that as many as 380,000 weapons are lost or stolen each year. According to Kyle The Answer to this is no. May 19, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. This prison term will . 922(d) if the seller knew or had reason to know that the person buying the gun is a criminal or otherwise prohibited buyer. Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Wisconsin resident KIRK VALENTINE purchased the firearms at retail stores, pawn shops and gun shows, and falsely certified on required forms that he was the actual buyer, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. If you are being charged with making a straw purchase or with any other gun crime, contact our skilled Milwaukee criminal defense attorneys, who have defended many of these types of cases and are ready to defend you and protect your rights. 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. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit against Wisconsin-based retailer Fleet Farm for allegedly selling guns to straw purchasers, including a man who. This crime is being prosecuted more vigorously as of late, and comes with a potential for a very long prison sentence. The campaign aims to not only provide better education for firearms retailers, but also to make the general public aware of the laws and penalties associated with making a straw purchase. Straw buying is a felony in progressive Connecticut, albeit one in the second-least-serious order of felonies. Get Guns.com offers and news!! 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 case is the latest example of the daily work police officers, federal agents and United States Attorneys are doing to safeguard communities and create a culture of accountability for gun offenders.. In order to complete the purchase of the firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when she was not. 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. Ashley Zastrow will serve one year and one day in federal prison for presenting herself as the buyer of the handguns when in fact she was not. Rittenhouse, 18, was on trial for fatally shooting two men and injuring a third during civil unrest in Kenosha in 2020. Insider debunked six prevalent myths surrounding the high-profile and tense trial. He was ordered released on bond, and a status hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17, 2019, before U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee. She was making the buyfor an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. According to federal law, an individual convicted of a straw purchase may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, and may even be required to pay a fine of . But any violation of the Gun Control Act, 1968 make the . Charges were also filed against Callie Bender for two counts of straw purchase of a firearm, one count of aiding a felon and one count of possession of THC. Federal law criminalizes making false statements about a material fact on ATF forms and criminalizes presenting false identification when purchasing a firearm. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Scott Walker on Wednesday approved a measure touted as making it easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms in the state. 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. Merrill woman sentenced to federal prison in case stemming from homicide, Our Kids in Crisis: A Mental Health Emergency, one of the guns she purchased was used in a homicide, Wisconsin legislators ask Governor Evers to remove Milwaukee County District Attorney from duties following Waukesha tragedy, A local school district hosts school-based mental health counseling retreat, Marathon Co. corrections officer awarded sheriffs office life saving medal, Wisconsin politicians react to Roe v. Wade being overturned by U.S. Supreme Court. A lock ( With other recent changes in the law, straw purchases, and people charged with other gun crimes, now face severe criminal penalties. Gaige Grosskreutz, a then-27-year-old EMT who survived being shot by Rittenhouse, testified during the trial, telling the jury that he frequently attended demonstrations as a volunteer medic and chose not to affiliate with any particular side. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted this case. The 5-4 ruling allows strict enforcement of the federal ban on gun "straw purchases," or one person buying a . 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. To complete the purchase,she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. Here is the reason. A Wisconsin jury fully acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse on Friday, finding him not guilty on five counts. On January 13, 2022, Zastrow purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids. 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. -1 23 more replies MenaFWM 1 yr. ago was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four . 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. Rockford: (815) 987-4444. Feds say 'straw buyer' purchased 39 handguns for a felon since July, paid more than $25,000 cash to firearms dealers. Gifting vs Straw Purchasing. 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. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. Dept. Ashley Zastrow, 32, from Merrill, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. Graap is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. 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. 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. It is classified as a serious crime in Illinois (Class 2 felony), but police rarely. There was a problem saving your notification. You have permission to edit this article. Jones or an intermediary told the straw purchasers which firearms to buy and provided the money for the purchases. 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. Dominick Black, who purchased the AR-15 rifle carried and used by Kyle Rittenhouse during the protests in Kenosha last August, could walk out of court a free man later today without any criminal. Similarly, those acting as a human holster for a criminal would be subject to a felony. The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major victory to gun control advocates on Monday. Straw purchasing is when someone buys a gun for another person who isn't legally allowed to own one, such as felons. Judge Conley also reasoned that a prison sentence was warranted given the defendants poor performance on pre-trial release and nominal efforts to confront her methamphetamine addiction. Danzy, 29, is the alleged "straw purchaser" of the weapon that was used to fatally shoot Officer French and seriously wound her partner, who had. Wisconsin resident KIRK VALENTINE purchased the firearms at retail stores, pawn shops and gun shows, and falsely certified on required forms that he was the actual buyer, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. 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. 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. The motives of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, were less clear that night. She disputed the defense attorney's characterization of Huber as a "rioter" or "looter." 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. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment that day in federal court in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez. That person also allegedly used one of the firearms purchased by Zastrow to commit a homicide. Rittenhouse, 18, who was not charged with murder, faced charges of first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree intentional homicide, and attempted first-degree intentional homicide for fatally shooting two men and injuring a third during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020, following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. If they ask you to buy it, fill out the 4473 in your name, and then pay you . Section 18 U.S.C. The person that Zastrow bought the firearms for was a convicted felon. In sentencing the 32-year-old, 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. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. Rittenhouse and his friend, Dominick Black, testified that Black, who was 18 at the time, used Rittenhouse's money to purchase the weapon at a Wisconsin hardware store in May 2020. Rosenbaum's fiance told The Washington Post in 2020 that he wasn't there as a rioter or a looter. Thats why tougher laws on straw purchases are a priority for gun control groups. 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. 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. Direct Evidence in Wisconsin Criminal Cases. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. A straw purchase occurs when somebody purchases a firearm for another person while pretending to purchase it for personal use. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. 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. First Criminal Conviction for Spoofing May Increas New Challenge to the Informing the Accused Form, Foiled Crimes: The Crime of Attempt in Wisconsin, Welfare Drug Testing and the Constitution. I ask myself that question every day," she told the outlet. The weapon Rittenhouse used to shoot the three men was obtained in what many would consider a "straw purchase" arms sale. May 13, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns at Ace Hardware in La Crosse, Wisc. After providing personal information, question 21 - made up of 11 "yes" or "no" sub-questions - begins by asking "Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm (s) listed on this form . There was an error processing your request. 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. Western Division Criminals were very aware of these loopholes, said state Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills. A "Kenosha Guard" militia group on Facebook did issue a "call to arms" ahead of the violenceon August 25. Federally licensed firearm dealers are required to perform background checks for those seeking to buy a firearm. The prison term will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. This is not the same thing as purchasing a firearm as a genuine, bonafide gift. 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. At Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian, our top-rated Collin County criminal lawyers have extensive experience handling federal firearms cases. 941.2905 Straw purchasing of firearms. In states where there is no specific law prohibiting a straw purchase, the federal law will apply. First, contrary to what most people think, no Federal Law prohibits you from buying a gun as a gift for someone else. Black said he used Rittenhouse's . Pennington is prohibited from purchasing a firearm due to multiple felony convictions in the state of Wisconsin. We are tired of t. The law raises the maximum penalty for the illegal straw purchasing of guns under state law from a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail to six years in prison. Rittenhouse's defense attorneys characterized Rosenbaum as a "rioter," and even the lead prosecutor said in his closing statement he would have prosecuted Rosenbaum for arson had he not been fatally shot. Firearm Gifts Legal Considerations . 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 will serve one year and one day in federal prison for presenting herself as the buyer of the handguns when in fact she was not. A straw purchase, as defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, involves someone who purchases a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one or. But those background checks and records involve the purchaser of the firearm and not always the ultimate user of the gun. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Wisconsin Gov. Judge Conley also reasoned that a prison sentence was warranted given the defendants poor performance on pre-trial release and nominal efforts to confront her methamphetamine addiction. In the lawsuit, Ellison ask for "strengthened oversight of Fleet Farm's operations and increased training to prevent sales of guns to straw purchasers." The attorney general also wants Fleet Farm . Some other states have looser regulations that prohibit individuals from knowingly encouraging sellers to conduct those illegal firearm transfers, according to the group. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that she purchased these firearms for an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase.