You are most certainly welcome Miss Behave.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The ATF Reno Office has a major initiative that targets the illegal trafficking of firearms from Nevada to California. Through a number of investigative methods, Special Agents look to identify suspicious purchasers making false statements or engaging in "straw purchases" to obtain firearms for transport out of the State of Nevada. A straw purchase is a transaction that involves a buyer who does not fill out the required paperwork and undergo a background check, but has another person fill out the paperwork, who is not the real purchaser.
As a result of this initiative, on March 16, 2005, Earl James Ficklin, 33, a resident of California and Therea A. Brown, 43, a resident of Antioch, California, were indicted by the United States District Court, District of Nevada, and charged with Title 18, USC, Section 922(a)(6) -- False Statement During Firearms Purchase and two other related counts. Ficklin and Brown were arrested without incident by ATF Special Agents on June 15, 2005, in Antioch, CA.
Our investigation has shown that Brown and Ficklin, California residents, have acquired other firearms in Nevada. Four firearms purchased by Ficklin have been recovered by Bay Area police, one each in Oakland, Richmond, and Martinez and San Francisco. The Federal charges relate to five 9 mm semi automatic pistols that were recovered by ATF Special Agents in Nevada shortly after the illegal purchase in October, 2004.
Special Agent In Charge Paul Vido, ATF San Francisco Field Division, said, "Getting gun traffickers behind bars is a number one priority for ATF. Trafficking firearms into the streets and into hands of criminals and gang members with no regard for the carnage that may result is reprehensible."
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The Federal charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 10 years per count. This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are anticipated.
Contact: Marti McKee, PIO, of The ATF, Pager: +1-888-416-4533
http://www.atf.gov
Thank you TexKat!