News from September 2023


Justice Department Proposes New Regulation to Update Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Firearms Dealer

News Release: WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced it has submitted to the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking that would clarify the circumstances in which a person is “engaged in the business" of dealing in firearms and thus required to obtain a license and run background checks. The ...


Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms Possession

News Release: HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 90 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.


Federal Jury Finds St. Cloud Man Guilty of Illegal Possession of Firearms

News Release: ST. PAUL, Minn. - A federal jury found a St. Cloud man guilty of illegally possessing multiple firearms as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.


Public notices: Justice Department publishes 27 in week ending Aug. 26

There were 27 notices published by the Justice Department in week ending Aug. 26, according to the Federal Register.


Father of Alleged Lamar High School Shooter Sentenced to 6+ Years for Gun Crime

News Release: DALLAS - The father of a 15-year-old accused of fatally shooting a classmate at Lamar High School was sentenced Thursday to more than six years in federal prison for a gun crime, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.


Brothers Sentenced to a Combined 15 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Heroin Trafficking

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS - Desmond Breedlove, 34, and DaJaun Breedlove, 23, of Indianapolis have both been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.


Manchester Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing, Manufacturing and Selling Firearms

News Release: NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Andrew Francoeur, 36, of Manchester, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for offenses related to his illegal possession, manufacture and sale of firearms.


Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Control Act Offense

News Release: NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on Aug. 29, Carlsel Alexander, 28, a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment, charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).


Grand Jury Returns Indictments in the Western District of Wisconsin

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.


Windsor Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing Fentanyl

News Release: NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Alexander Lee, 22, of Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.


Escondido Man Sentenced to 31 Years to Life in Prison for Murder and Arson

News Release: SAN DIEGO - An Escondido man was sentenced earlier this week to 31 years to life in prison for murder and arson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today.


Fort Worth Shooting Suspect Sentenced to 10 Years for Gun Crime

News Release: DALLAS - A Fort Worth man who allegedly shot through the door of a local home, hitting an 82-year-old woman in the chest, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.


Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Control Act Offense

News Release: NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on Aug. 29, Carlsel Alexander, 28, a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment, charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).


Father of Alleged Lamar High School Shooter Sentenced to 6+ Years for Gun Crime

News Release: DALLAS - The father of a 15-year-old accused of fatally shooting a classmate at Lamar High School was sentenced Thursday to more than six years in federal prison for a gun crime, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.


Indiana Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Trafficking in Machinegun Conversion Devices

News Release: LONDON, Ky. - Bailey Tyler Monde, 20, of Freetown, Indiana, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully transfer machineguns and one count of unlawful transfer of a machinegun.


Louisville Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Stealing Firearms From a Licensed Firearms Dealer

News Release: LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Jefferson County, Kentucky, man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison followed by a 3-year term of supervised release for burglarizing a federally licensed firearms dealer and illegally possessing a stolen firearm in Louisville.


Ringleader and Key Co-Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Leading Beckley-to-Philadelphia Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy

News Release: BECKLEY, W.Va. - Bisheem Jones, aka “Bosh," 37, of Philadelphia was sentenced today to 25 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for leading a scheme to traffic over 140 firearms from southern West Virginia to Philadelphia. Shyheem Woodard-Smith, aka “Peanut" and “Nut," 23, of Philadelphia, was also sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his key role in the gun trafficking conspiracy.


Cincinnati Man Pleads Guilty to Murder of Convenience Store Owner, 5 Armed Robberies

News Release: CINCINNATI - A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to using a firearm to commit murder and other crimes of violence. The parties involved have recommended a sentence of up to 45 years in prison for the defendant, who shot and killed the owner of Madeira Beverage in February 2021.


Los Angeles Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery Charge and Admits to Crime Spree in Which He Robbed 8 Businesses and Carjacked One Victim

News Release: LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles man pleaded guilty today to a federal criminal charge and admitted in court to committing a carjacking and eight armed robberies of gas stations and convenience stores in Los Angeles County in April.


Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison

News Release: FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Kevin T. Leshore, 30, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.