83 FEDERAL FIREARMS VIOLATIONS NETS DEFENDANT FIFTEEN YEARS

BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama and James M. Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nashville Field Division, announce that Charles THOMAS, age 28, of Huntsville, Alabama, was sentenced in Federal District Court today on charges of dealing in firearms without a license and making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm.

THOMAS was sentenced by United States District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler to one hundred eighty (180) months incarceration and to three (3) years supervised release after he (Thomas) serves his prison term. THOMAS was convicted on these charges on NOVEMBER 13, 2002, after a two-day trial in Decatur.

According to the indictment and the evidence introduced at trial, THOMAS, acting as a "straw purchaser," falsely stated that he was the actual purchaser of 135 firearms, when he was in fact purchasing the firearms for other individuals. THOMAS purchased the firearms in this manner from January 17, 2000, through August 18, 2001. Evidence presented at trial also revealed that several of the firearms were recovered at crime scenes in Bronx, New York; Wilmington, Delaware; New York, New York; and Huntsville, Alabama.

According to U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin, "The investigation and prosecution of firearm-trafficking cases in North Alabama is a top priority of my office. We will continue to work to protect the public by enforcing federal firearms laws and to seek maximum jail time for violators." Martin added, "This sentence sends the message that we will not allow Alabama to become a source state for gun trafficking and for crime guns."

ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville Field Division, Larry Cooper, stated "People who straw purchase firearms for individuals who are prohibited from possessing guns only adds fuel to the fire of violence and THOMAS' actions are a prime example. THOMAS straw purchased 135 guns and as a result, facilitated the use of some of those guns in crimes in several different states." Mr. Cooper went on to say "ATF will continue to identify and investigate those people who are responsible for illegally supplying and trafficking firearms."

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the ATF in Alabama and Special Agents of the ATF/NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force in New York. Assistant United States Attorney Alison S. Blackwell prosecuted the case for the government.

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