INDIANAPOLIS — The Department of Justice sentenced two individuals to prison for trafficking dozens of firearms from Indianapolis to Chicago, Illinois.
James Osborne III, 34, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 45 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to transfer firearms to an out-of-state resident.
Miesha Webster, 27, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to transfer firearms to an out-of-state resident and making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a gun.
“Illegal gun sales fuel violence in Indiana, Chicago, and across the country by putting deadly weapons in the hands of people with no lawful business having them,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
“The federal prison sentences imposed here demonstrate that straw purchase schemes are serious crimes that carry serious consequences. I commend the ATF and our federal prosecutor for their efforts to reduce gun violence and hold gun traffickers accountable.”
According to court documents, between June 2021, and September 17, 2021, Webster and Osborne straw purchased at least 37 firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in Indiana.
Straw purchasing is when a person who is allowed to purchase a gun from a federally licensed dealer legally falsely states that they are buying a firearm for someone else — typically for someone who is legally prohibited from making the purchase themselves.
Osborne would drive Webster to firearm dealers and tell her which to buy. Osborne, who was prohibited from buying guns, would sell the weapons to buy and give her money to make the purchases. Osborne sold the firearms to a person from Chicago.
After being tracked in Brownsburg, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents arrived on the scene of an illegal deal in Lafayette and arrested both suspects.
Webster purchased at least 51 firearms in total. Law enforcement agencies recovered 24 weapons. Of the 24 recovered firearms, 17 were recovered in Chicago or surrounding cities in Illinois.
“These defendants were both charged with violating the Gun Control Act by straw purchasing and trafficking firearms,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.
“In facilitating the flow of firearms to those who are prohibited from possessing them, they bear a measure of responsibility for the violence those firearms cause in our community. I hope this sentence serves as a warning to others who might consider doing this – ATF and our law enforcement partners will work to find you, as well, and hold you accountable for your actions.”