The case was brought forward through a multi-jurisdiction effort between law enforcement in Lincoln and Wood counties along with the FBI. CHICAGO A Chicago resident has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for setting fire to the Boost Mobile Store Eastern Division For instance, if a father were to buy his son a firearm and didn't plan on being the owner and primary user of the weapon himself, it would qualify as a straw purchase. K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted this case. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives provided assistance. Thanks to Governor Walker, prosecutors should be able to make gun charges stick and get dangerous criminals off the streets.. The person that Zastrow bought the firearms for was a convicted felon. Rocha was arrested in Wisconsin on Aug. 9, 2019. 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. Scott Walker on Wednesday approved a measure touted as making it easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms in the state. 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. Here is the reason. The gun seller can also be held liable under 18 U.S.C. In general, straw purchases are legal except in cases where the ultimate receiver of goods or services uses those . I ask myself that question every day," she told the outlet. Reports of thefts to police are much lower: they totalled about 240,000 in 2016, according to the FBI's National Crime Information Center, which derives its figures from data provided by local law enforcement. Who Is Liable When a Person Is Hit by a Car in Front of a Store? Straw buying is a felony in progressive Connecticut, albeit one in the second-least-serious order of felonies. The charges Zastrow faced stemmed from one of the guns she purchased was used in a homicide. of Justice: Merrill woman sentenced to prison for making false statements during purchase of firearms, WisPolitics luncheon with Gov. 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. How Old Do You Have to be to Buy a Gun in Wisconsin? On January 13, 2022, Zastrow purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids. 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. A straw purchase typically involves one person buying a gun for someone else, usually because the other person cannot pass a background check or does not want a record of the purchase in their name. Stay in the know. According to Kenoshanews. A straw purchase occurs when somebody purchases a firearm for another person while pretending to purchase it for personal use. The backers of the proposal, which passed the legislature on a voice vote, say the move was requested by the Milwaukee Police Department. A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her. Rittenhouse lived about 20 minutes outside of Kenosha, in Antioch, Illinois. The indictment describes seven firearm transactions in Wisconsin: Holding straw purchasers accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods the Department of Justices violent crime reduction strategy. 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. The Nylon 66, a relatively inexpensive rimfire with faux woodgrain, was the first successful synthetic-stock firearm. 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. The civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, falsely described Rittenhouse on Friday as a "self-declared white nationalist." But the tech company later confirmed that Rittenhouse had not been a follower of the flagged page. But Rittenhouse's possession of the firearm at the time was technically legal. There was an error processing your request. Contact Us About Straw Purchases in Texas. However, you should beware of what is known as a straw purchase, which is illegal. Despite the federal prohibition and state-level legislation, many gun control advocates and experts say the illegal transactions still happen regularly. Someone makes a straw purchase when they purchase a gun on behalf of someone else who may not be . May 17, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns at Holmen Pawn Shop in Holmen, Wisc. 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This is known as a "straw purchase" and is a crime. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/subject_index/index/f/firearms_and_dangerous_weapons, https://law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922, https://law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/924. It is this intent that matters. In a November CNN interview, Democratic Rep. Karen Bass of California propagated the falsehood, alleging that Wendy accompanied her son over state lines so he could help law enforcement amid the unrest. Rocha was ordered to remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Sept. 10, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. Valentine self-surrendered to the Court on Aug. 5, 2019. The barrels under 16 inches should've only applied to 18 year old+ who were legally allowed to carry. Prosecutors said Black bought the gun for Rittenhouse in what is known as a straw purchase. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! Every time the left tries to harm innocent law abiding citizens, it runs the risk of conservative Americans lashing out. 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. Kyle gifted the money to Dominic Black to Purchase the firearm for himself then do a private sale one Kyle had turned 18. Ashley Zastrow, 32, from Merrill, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. Graap allegedly used one of those firearms to fatally shoot and kill Kayla Frank. May 13, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns at Ace Hardware in La Crosse, Wisc. 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. The statement signed by 10 Senate Republicans indicates the legislation has a good chance of avoiding a legislative filibuster, the 60-vote threshold required for most bills. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. In order to complete the purchase of these firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. 924(a)(1)(A) imposes fines and possible prison sentences against any person who knowingly makes a false statement regarding any of the information required by federal firearms law. His Illinois residence helped spur rumors that the teenager traveled to Wisconsin with his rifle illegally in tow. 922(a)(6) and 18 U.S.C. Who Can Be Held Liable for Winter Truck Accidents. 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. All Rights Reserved, Gov. Democrats hope they can bring a gun violence package to the floor the week of June 20. 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. We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen! The gun was already being stored at a friend's house in Kenosha, according to police records and court testimony. "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. 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. In order to complete the purchase of these firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. A Wisconsin jury fully acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse on Friday, finding him not guilty on five counts. of Justice: Merrill woman sentenced to prison for making false statements during purchase of firearms. 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. 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. Each count of the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Rosenbaum was seen in a number of videos not protesting but causing destruction, setting fires, tipping over a Porta Potty, wielding a chain, and at one point even shouting the N-word. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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 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. "Why was he there? Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Short answer: it depends. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. Wisconsin Gov. 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. Pennington is prohibited from purchasing a firearm due to multiple felony convictions in the state of Wisconsin. 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. But during his trial, Rittenhouse testified in court that he drove himself from his home in Illinois to Kenosha on August 24, 2020, the day before he fatally shot two men. Straw purchasing firearms is not a victimless crime, said FBI Assistant SAC Larry L. Lapp. Wisconsin Gov. His legal team said Rittenhouse did not know who the men were or what group they were affiliated with and was unfamiliar with the hand symbol's meaning. In the aftermath of Friday's verdict, a flurry of responses and reactions to the ruling restated longstanding myths and misinformation surrounding the trial and Rittenhouse's actions on August 25, 2020. Tell us what you think about the songs we play! WisPolitics.com & WisBusiness.com: The clean energy shift is underway: How will the Inflation Reduction Act accelerate the transition? (2) The prohibition in sub. 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. 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. 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. Law enforcement agents call people who buy guns for those who aren't legally . 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. 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. Straw purchase is a purchase where a purchaser knowingly acquiring an item or service for someone. Huber's great aunt, Susan Hughes, also testified at Rittenhouse's trial, saying Huber knew Jacob Blake personally and was upset by his shooting. The individual is also accused of using one of the weapons to commit a homicide. In order to complete the purchase of the firearms, she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when she was not. Johnson. 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. You are the original buyer, yet you have no intent to own the gun. May 19, 2018: Valentine purchased seven handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. Need [email protected] (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. 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. Black said he used Rittenhouse's . She was making the buyfor an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. 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. If you were arrested or charged with a crime in connection to an alleged straw purchase, we can help. The weapon Rittenhouse used to shoot the three men was obtained in what many would consider a "straw purchase" arms sale. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. 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. Jones or an intermediary told the straw purchasers which firearms to buy and provided the money for the purchases. Firearms dont get much more iconic than John Moses Brownings legendary Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun, affectionately called the Humpback for its distinctive drop at the rear of the receiver. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Sentencing Guidelines. Resolving a split between federal circuit courts of appeal, the Supreme Court holds that the prohibition in 18 U. S. C. 922 (a) (6) against making false statements about "any fact material to the lawfulness of the sale" of a firearm applies to a "straw" purchasera person who buys a gun on someone else's behalf while falsely . 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. -1 23 more replies MenaFWM 1 yr. ago 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. Black is now being prosecuted for participating in the illegal straw purchase of the weapon on behalf of Rittenhouse. 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. March 8, 2018: Valentine purchased three handguns at Gander Outdoors in Onalaska, Wisc. 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. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. 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. This is illegal. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Official websites use .gov . Success! The prison term will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. There was a problem saving your notification. Circumstantial vs. We are tired of t. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's The campaign was designed to prevent and discourage illegal straw purchases. 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. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment that day in federal court in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez. 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. 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. April 13, 2018: Valentine purchased a handgun at Big Rooster Firearms in Sparta, Wisc. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday during his arraignment in federal court in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes. Court documents showed the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle was purchased by Black on May 1 at Ladysmith Ace . With other recent changes in the law, straw purchases, and people charged with other gun crimes, now face severe criminal penalties. Rosenbaum's fiance told The Washington Post in 2020 that he wasn't there as a rioter or a looter. 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. This prison term will . It is classified as a serious crime in Illinois (Class 2 felony), but police rarely. Graap will next be in court again on May 8th at 11 a.m. for a Motion hearing. He was ordered released on bond, and a status hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17, 2019, before U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee. Every cowboy needs a revolver. 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. 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. 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. This prison term will be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. 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. According to Kyle The Answer to this is no. 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 for someone who does not want their name associated with the transaction. Chicago, a much larger city but with similarly high murder rate, recovered 247 guns per 100,000 people. 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. 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. was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four . Get Guns.com offers and news!! . They're illegal, because criminals and other people who cannot pass a background check often get other people, who can pass a background check, to buy guns for them. Sean Krajacic/The Kenosha News via AP, Pool, NOW WATCH: VIDEO: Kyle Rittenhouse breaks down crying at his homicide trial, threw out a count of possession of a dangerous weapon, Rosenbaum had been released from a hospital, did issue a "call to arms" ahead of the violence, Rittenhouse went to a bar in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The offense is known as a 'straw purchase.' On January 13, 2022, Zastrow purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids. Federally licensed firearm dealers are required to perform background checks for those seeking to buy a firearm. 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. 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.