U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Dennis Latour, 41, to 84 months in prison for committing fraud and gun-related crimes. Latour devised a plan in June 2022 to defraud investors in the cannabis sector, falsely presenting himself as a successful investor and persuading two victims to join his purported venture. His fraudulent activities resulted in one victim losing about $713,000 and another about $109,000. He was ordered to repay the misappropriated funds.
In addition to the fraudulent scheme, Latour and his former partner, Jennifer Keegan, admitted to purchasing and possessing numerous firearms. Being a convicted felon, Latour is prohibited from possessing guns. From February 2023, Keegan assisted Latour by completing the necessary paperwork to acquire firearms, knowing the guns would be in Latour's possession. Their collection included a Barrett .50-caliber rifle among other weapons.
A court-authorized search of their Des Peres, Missouri residence by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on September 26, 2023, led to the discovery of 27 firearms in a "vault" room along with two pistols in their bedroom. Latour pleaded guilty to firearm and fraud-related charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to purchase firearms for a felon. Keegan, 51, was sentenced to three years of probation on April 16 for conspiracy in purchasing firearms for a felon.
The ATF conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Szczucinski and Justin Ladendorf prosecuted the case. The prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that collaborates with various levels of law enforcement to mitigate violent crime and enhance community safety by focusing on trust, legitimacy, and strategic enforcement.
