Federal authorities have indicted five individuals for allegedly conspiring to illicitly obtain machine guns and other controlled firearms. Those charged include Sean Sullivan, 38, from Gambrills, Maryland; Larry Vickers, 60, from Charlotte, North Carolina; James Tafoya, 45, from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Matthew Hall, 53, from Four Oaks, North Carolina; and James Sawyer, 50, from Ray, North Dakota.
Find Gun & Ammo Deals on Gun Coyote
The case was publicized by US Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron, and officials from ATF, FBI, IRS-CI, and DHS OIG.
The indictment details that Hall and Sawyer held roles as Police Chiefs in North Carolina and North Dakota, respectively. Sullivan was affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and also ran Trident, LLC in Maryland. Both Sullivan and his company, along with Tafoya and Vickers, held the necessary federal licenses to engage in business involving certain specialized firearms under specific circumstances.
The authorities allege that from mid-2018 to early 2021, these individuals misrepresented their intentions, stating that the firearms would be showcased to police departments when, in fact, their intent was either personal use or resale. Sullivan is accused of presenting falsified documents to the ATF, following which he either retained or distributed the firearms to co-conspirators.
Furthermore, Larry Vickers has already admitted to his role in this conspiracy and another involving a violation of US sanctions against a foreign arms manufacturer. His sentencing, though yet unscheduled, could see him face up to 25 years in prison.
Should they be found guilty, the remaining defendants could face significant prison time for various charges, including conspiracy and false statement offenses related to firearm acquisition and documentation. Federal prison sentences often fall below the maximum allowable term, with the exact duration determined by a federal district judge considering sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
However, it is essential to note that an indictment does not equate to guilt; every defendant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
The efforts of ATF, FBI, IRS-CI, and DHS-OIG were appreciated by US Attorney Erek L. Barron, who also acknowledged the legal team prosecuting the case. More resources and information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found on the Department of Justice website.
In today's anti gun society you are guilty until proven innocent at your expense. When found innocent you should be compensated with treble damages and the prosecutors and accusers be fined and prosecuted for fraudulent reporting of a crime and malicious prosecution.
ReplyDeleteTime to put justice back into the "Criminsl only Justice System". Nuff said.