Matthew R. Molsen United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
Stephanie Kessel, 41, from Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced in federal court for making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen reported the sentencing on April 16, 2025. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Kessel to three years of probation.
In July 2023, Kessel was involved in a transaction with an individual working with law enforcement in the parking lot of Cabela’s in La Vista, Nebraska. The individual informed Kessel they were a convicted felon who could not legally purchase firearms. Despite being aware of the cooperator's criminal record, Kessel proceeded to enter Cabela’s and buy two Taurus 9mm handguns. She then returned to the parking lot and sold the firearms to the cooperator for $1,000. On the ATF firearms purchase form, Kessel indicated she was the actual transferee and buyer of the firearms, a statement determined to be false as the guns were intended for and transferred to the cooperator.
The investigation of this case was handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department.
