ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Lawrence Monte Morgan, 24, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for his role in the illegal purchase of 12 guns, including one gun that was used in multiple shootings in Washington, D.C.
“Prosecuting straw purchasers is essential because of the critical role these purchasers play in enabling the unlawful possession and use of guns," said U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. “Prohibited individuals who cannot buy guns, including convicted felons, rely on staw purchasers to buy the guns for them. Often times the guns then end up in the hands of dangerous individuals and are used in other crimes, as in this case."
“Illegal firearms trafficking is one of the most dangerous activities confronting our nation today," said Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division. “It is through the bravery, skill, and dedication of our agents that these traffickers are brought to justice and the illegal firearms trade currently plaguing the DC Metro region is abated."
Morgan pleaded guilty on Aug. 3, 2015. According to court documents, during August 2014, Morgan, along with co-defendant Jamal Baker, purchased 12 guns from various federal firearms dealers within the Eastern District of Virginia. At the time of each of these purchases, Baker completed a firearms transaction form that asked, “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s)?" Baker knowingly lied when he answered “Yes" on the form, because he was unlawfully acquiring the guns for others, not for himself. Morgan aided and abetted Baker’s false statements by, among other things, accompanying Baker to firearms dealers to help select guns for purchase, reimbursing Baker for the purchases, finding buyers for and reselling the guns, and providing Baker with a share of the profits from the resale of the guns to other buyers. Law enforcement has since recovered several of the guns that Morgan and Baker purchased in August 2014, including one gun that was used in multiple shootings in Washington, D.C.
Baker was sentenced to one year and one day in prison on Oct. 15, 2015.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tobias Tobler prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-219.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
