Categories: Chicago

Two men indicted in straw firearms purchase scheme

A Wisconsin and a Chicago resident have been indicted on federal firearm charges for conspiring to straw purchasing. They had conspired to buy 19 handguns in Wisconsin and re-sell the guns in Chicago. According to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Kirk Valentine, a Wisconsin resident, had purchased the guns from retail stores, pawnshops and gun shows and certified falsely that he was the actual buyer of the firearms.

According to the indictment, the guns were bought at the directions of Francisco Rocha, a Chicago resident. Rocha had identified the guns for Valentine as he paid him a premium over the list prices. The indictment also states that in the first six months of 2018, around 19 handguns were purchased in Wisconsin and transported to Chicago where Rocha, along with others, re-sold the guns and distributed them around.

The indictment had returned on Aug. 1, 2019, and was ordered unsealed on Wednesday. The indictment charged Valentine, 23, of La Crosse, Wisc., and Rocha, 28 with conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, and unlawfully dealing and importing firearms. United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch, Jr., say “Straw purchasers and firearm traffickers enable unlawful possession of guns and the violence that may follow.”

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Lausch with Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI, and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albert Berry III and Elizabeth Pozolo are representing the government.  FBI Assistant SAC Larry L. Lapp says “It is a serious danger to our communities.  This indictment demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to help stop the flow of illegal guns into our neighborhoods.”

Gabriella Remillard

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

10 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

10 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

11 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

11 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

11 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.