But the tech company later confirmed that Rittenhouse had not been a follower of the flagged page. This is not giving a gift. 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. May 19, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns from a dealer at Bob and Roccos Gun Show in Onalaska, Wisc. Each count of the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. 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.. May 13, 2018: Valentine purchased two handguns at Ace Hardware in La Crosse, Wisc. First things first, if you have reasonable cause to believe the person you're gifting a firearm to is prohibited from possessing . Black is now being prosecuted for participating in the illegal straw purchase of the weapon on behalf of Rittenhouse. 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. Giving someone a firearm carries a certain level of legal responsibility that does not come with gifting iPads or socks. To complete the purchase,she represented that she was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact she was not. 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. Rosenbaum's fiance told The Washington Post in 2020 that he wasn't there as a rioter or a looter. 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. 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. 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 prosecution argued as such. 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 . The indictment was returned Aug. 1, 2019, and ordered unsealed Wednesday. 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 backers of the proposal, which passed the legislature on a voice vote, say the move was requested by the Milwaukee Police Department. Direct Evidence in Wisconsin Criminal Cases. Western Division This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! The firearms in question were used by Tanner Graap. 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. The jury's verdict in the case, handed down on October 13, 2015, found that a gun shop employee acted negligentlyand . 922 (a)(6) for making a false statement about the identity of the buyer that is "material to the lawfulness of the sale." These prosecutions rely on the court-created "straw purchaser" doctrine, a legal fiction that treats the ultimate recipient of a firearm . The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. In Wisconsin it's illegal for any one under 18 to have any kind of dangerous weapon. . Generally, secretly purchasing a gun on someone else's behalf from a gun dealer, called a straw purchase, is illegal. Straw purchases of firearms are also violations of federal law, and under both state and federal law, it is a felony that carries the potential for a long prison term. Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children. During the legislative process for SB 408, law enforcement representatives from Wisconsins largest city testified to lawmakers that officers in Milwaukee recovered more guns per capita than in Chicago. 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. 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. With no legislative text, the specifics of a crackdown on straw purchases remain unclear. 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. WisPolitics.com & WisBusiness.com: The clean energy shift is underway: How will the Inflation Reduction Act accelerate the transition? There was a problem saving your notification. The family has a 13-acre property with an old gravel pit used as a gun range. Call us at 414-271-1440 or send us an e-mail today to discuss your case. 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. (Photo: Walkers office). 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 . During the investigation, law enforcement utilized ATFs National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. You are the original buyer, yet you have no intent to own the gun. 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. Court documents allege Rittenhouse retrieved the gun from Black's stepfather's house in Kenosha on Aug. 25, 2020, and that Rittenhouse and Black went together, armed, to protests in downtown . Graap allegedly used one of those firearms to fatally shoot and kill Kayla Frank. 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. In states where there is no specific law prohibiting a straw purchase, the federal law will apply. Home Press Releases Dept. 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. gun for an acquaintance in Chicago who was unable to buy a firearm himself due to a past felony conviction for theft in Wisconsin. (2) The prohibition in sub. 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. 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. The campaign was designed to prevent and discourage illegal straw purchases. 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 crime is being prosecuted more vigorously as of late, and comes with a potential for a very long prison sentence. Error! This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. 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. A straw purchase occurs when somebody purchases a firearm for another person while pretending to purchase it for personal use. She was making the buyfor an individual who accompanied her to the store and provided her with cash at the time of purchase. The prison term will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Who Is Liable When a Person Is Hit by a Car in Front of a Store? 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. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Prosecutors had said they wanted Jamel Danzy held in custody, and a detention hearing had been set for Wednesday. 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. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. It is a serious danger to our communities. CHICAGO A Chicago resident has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for setting fire to the Boost Mobile Store Eastern Division In the first six months of 2018, the pair caused at least 19 handguns to be purchased in Wisconsin and transported to Chicago, where Rocha and others re-sold and distributed them, the indictment states. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS When transferring or purchasing a firearm, individuals must complete an ATF Form 4473. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Departments program to reduce violent crime. A "Kenosha Guard" militia group on Facebook did issue a "call to arms" ahead of the violenceon August 25. 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. Fighting violent crime is a top priority in our office, and we are committed to holding accountable those who engage in illicit firearm transactions.. Wisconsin Gov. 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. State laws punishing straw purchases vary. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Contact Us About Straw Purchases in Texas. (2) The prohibition in sub. 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. 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. He was ordered released on bond, and a status hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17, 2019, before U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee. . 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. Thats why tougher laws on straw purchases are a priority for gun control groups. 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. 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. 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. The two reportedly agreed that Black would keep the gun until Rittenhouse turned 18 in January 2021, according to court testimony. 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. Classic Browning Light Twelve Auto-5 Review: Busting Clays With the Old Humpback Shotgun. The gun was already being stored at a friend's house in Kenosha, according to police records and court testimony. He was acquitted on all counts. 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. 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 is one in which one Person "A" buys a firearm for Person "B", at Person "B's" request. According to Kenoshanews. Here is the reason. 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. MADISON, Wis. (WAOW) A 32-year-old Merrill woman was sentenced to 1, year, 1-day in federal prison on Friday formaking false statements during the purchase of two firearms. 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. 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. -1 23 more replies MenaFWM 1 yr. ago 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. Pennington will be sentenced for his role in the incident (one count of distributing meth) next January. The 5-4 ruling allows strict enforcement of the federal ban on gun "straw purchases," or one person buying a . Someone makes a straw purchase when they purchase a gun on behalf of someone else who may not be . This is known as a "straw purchase" and is a crime. . was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four . NSSF employee Michael Bazinet spends a lot of time focusing on the "Don't Lie . 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. 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. On January 13, 2022, Zastrow purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids. Kyle Rittenhouse's trial has returned again and again to the semiautomatic rifle he used to kill two men and wound a third during the unrest in Kenosha, Wis., last year. Success! A lock ( Any violations of these laws can result in a 10-year prison sentence and fines up to $250,000. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Section 18 U.S.C. 327 S. Church Street, Room 3300 Gifting vs Straw Purchasing. Instead, Ritchie passed the guns off to Victor Pennington in exchange for meth. Black said he used Rittenhouse's . 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. WisPolitics.com DC breakfast with U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, WisPolitics luncheon with Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin. Walker signs bill upping penalties on straw purchases in Wisconsin. firearms dealer can deliver the firearm to the purchaser. People 18 years of age and older are eligible to purchase long guns, while handguns are only eligible to be purchased by those of the age 21 years and older. Criminals were very aware of these loopholes, said state Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. With other recent changes in the law, straw purchases, and people charged with other gun crimes, now face severe criminal penalties. Just hours before the protests, Rosenbaum had been released from a hospital following psychiatric care for a suicide attempt. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. But Rittenhouse's possession of the firearm at the time was technically legal. 219 S. Dearborn St., 5th Floor Ashley Zastrow, 32, purchased two firearms in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 13, 2022. 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.