Posted on 06/30/2014 2:28:37 PM PDT by holymoly
Federal agents recently arrested 10 men on charges that they illegally sold firearms from Sadie’s Flea Market, just south of Dothan.
George L. Beck Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, confirmed federal agents recently arrested 10 people on various illegal firearms charges in connection to an investigation launched by the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Beck said the investigation started after ATF agents received information that guns were being trafficked and sold at Sadie’s Flea Market. Beck said the investigation showed the market had no criminal involvement.
“They began their investigation, and they used undercover witnesses to make purchases,” Beck said.
Beck confirmed some of the charges filed included the sale of firearms without a license, the sale of firearms to a convicted felon and the sale of a firearm by a convicted felon to another convicted felon.
Beck said federal agents seized more than 200 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and pistols, as part of the investigation. He also said agents seized more than 500 rounds of ammunition.
Federal court records show some of the offenses date back to October 2013 and others occurred as recently as March.
“We’re not targeting guns or people’s right to bear arms, but we’re trying to protect it,” Beck said. “It’s so that law-abiding citizens can own guns.”
Beck said there are several reasons why investigations into the illegal sale of firearms are important.
“It’s important because we have a Second Amendment that guarantees everybody the right to bear arms, but Congress has imposed certain rules that need to be followed in order to protect our Second Amendment right to bear arms,” Beck said. “One of those rules is a person is prohibited from knowingly selling a gun to a felon. That rule is important to protect the citizens because we don’t want guns to get into the hands of those who have committed serious crimes.”
Beck said another rule set by Congress included if someone chose to deal in firearms, or sell firearms for profit, then they’re required to be licensed.
“Don’t sell a gun to a known felon, and second don’t engage in the business of selling guns unless you’re a registered dealer,” Beck said. “Undercover agents found both of those rules to have been violated and that’s what brought these charges.”
But Beck also said the “gun act also prohibits someone who is not a dealer from selling a gun to someone who is from out of state.”
“At least one of the defendants was also a convicted felon, which means he should not even have possessed a firearm,” Beck said.
Beck said the prosecution of the violation of federal firearms laws was part of Project Safe Neighborhood Task Force.
“It’s a combination of city, county, state and federal law enforcement dedicated to go after the most violent criminal,” Beck said. “The felon in possession laws is part of that effort.”
The following was released by the U.S. Attorney Office in regard to the 10 people arrested and their charges:
» Richard Allen Cohen, 65, of Graceville, Florida, charged with sale of a firearm to a convicted felon
» Robert Arthur Chudzik III, 27, of Headland, charged with sale of a firearm to a convicted felon
» William Dean, 84, of Whigham, Georgia, charged with sale of a firearm to a convicted felon
» Charles T. Grimes, 56, of Opp, charged with sale of a firearm to a convicted felon, dealing firearms without a license, conspiracy and aiding and abetting
» Thomas P. Knowles, 47, of Chancellor, charged with sale of a firearm to a convicted felon, conspiracy and aiding and abetting
» Marvin T. Jones, 70, of Dothan, charged with the sale of a firearm to a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and dealing in firearms without a license
» David R. Loftin, 64, of LaGrange, Georgia, charged with the sale of a firearm to a convicted felon and dealing in firearms without a license
» Ronald D. Sloan, 64, of Cottondale, Florida, charged with the sale of a firearm to a convicted felon
» Charles P. Sly, 75, of Slocomb, charged with the sale of a firearm to a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and dealing in firearms without a license
» Brent E. Underwood, 60, of Coffee Springs, charged with the sale of a firearm to a convicted felon.
NO argument there.
Reagan wanted to dismantle ATF before the Establishment RINOs stopped him.
Quick question: Is a Judge pistol shooting a .410 Shell a shotgun?
Thanks.
G.
"*modified weapons" back in the 30's the use of sawed off weapons (Al Capone) and machine guns were liberally used, and the favorite weapon of Bonnie & Clyde was the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) sawed off.
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