Davenport Man Cops to Gun Lie, Gets 13 Months

Michael D’Shon Aguilar, 23, of Davenport, Iowa, is headed to federal prison after admitting he lied on federal forms to buy guns — lies that helped funnel weapons into the hands of convicted felons. On December 14, 2016, Chief U.S. District Judge John A. Jarvey slammed Aguilar with a 13-month sentence — one year and one day — for three counts of making false statements during the purchase of firearms.

The plea deal, struck on July 25, 2016, revealed Aguilar falsely listed his address on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) forms during three separate gun purchases. Federal law requires accurate personal information to track firearm sales and prevent trafficking. Aguilar didn’t just skip a line — he knowingly falsified his residence, bypassing critical background check safeguards.

Two of the three firearms Aguilar bought under false pretenses eventually surfaced in the hands of prior felons — individuals legally barred from possessing any weapon. Prosecutors didn’t mince words: these guns didn’t vanish into thin air. They moved fast and ended up where they had no business being — in the grip of violent offenders with criminal records.

The investigation, led by the Davenport Police Department and the ATF, peeled back a disturbing pattern. While Aguilar may not have pulled the trigger, his actions fueled illegal gun circulation in the Quad Cities corridor. Federal agents traced the weapons using serial numbers and purchase records, linking the trail straight back to his false declarations.

U.S. Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel, who oversaw the prosecution, emphasized that lying on a federal gun form isn’t a paperwork error — it’s a felony with real-world consequences. ‘This wasn’t a victimless crime,’ VanderSchel stated. ‘Every lie on that form puts a loaded gun closer to someone who shouldn’t have it.’

Aguilar will serve a three-year term of supervised release after prison. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Media inquiries should be directed to Rachel Scherle at 515-473-9300 or Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov.

RELATED: Davenport Man Cops to Fake Address in Gun Buy

RELATED: Davenport Man Cops to Gun Lie Scheme