Owners of Gun Store/Beauty Shop Charged With Firearms Violations
Business advertised as "Where Beauty And Bullets Collide"
WICHITA, KAN. – A Butler County couple who ran a combined beauty shop and gun store have been charged with federal firearms violations, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Tracey Eberhart, 41, Augusta, Kan., and her husband, Jeffrey Eberhart, 50, Augusta, were charged in a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Wichita. Jeffrey Eberhart was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction and one count of dealing in firearms without a license. Tracey Eberhart was charged with one count of aiding a felon in possessing firearms and ammunition and one count of providing firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon.
According to an agent's affidavit, Tracey Eberhart obtained a federal license as a dealer of firearms when she opened Traceys Dream Weavers Salon And Sporting Goods at 431 State Street in Augusta, Kan. She told an investigator her intention was to cater the firearms business to women. During the application process, she made no mention of her husband, Jeffrey Eberhart. Because of prior felony convictions, he was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On Jan. 20, 2012, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives attended a gun show in Topeka, Kan., where they saw Jeffrey Eberhart selling firearms at the Dream Weavers booth. He was wearing a Dream Weavers T-shirt and was heard talking to buyers about guns and laser scopes. Eberhart explained to an undercover agent that his wife and female employees sold guns during the week while he and another man sold firearms at gun shows on weekends. Later, ATF agents purchased ammunition and guns from Jeffrey Eberhart, both at the storefront in Augusta and at gun shows.
Jeffrey Eberhart was pictured with his wife at gun show in a photo on their web site, www.beautyandbullets.com.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
- Aiding a felon in possession of a firearm: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
- Providing firearms and ammunition to a felon: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
- Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
- Dealing in firearms without a license: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated, assisted by the Butler County Sheriff's Department, the Wichita Police Department, the Augusta Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The complaint merely contains allegations of criminal conduct.
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