Renton Woman Admits Gun Trafficking to Gangs

SEATTLE – Shannon McCall, 41, of Renton, Washington, confessed today to acting as a crucial link in a dangerous gun trafficking operation supplying weapons to violent street gangs. The plea, entered in U.S. District Court, admits McCall knowingly purchased firearms and illegally handed them off to others, fueling bloodshed on the streets.

According to court records, between August 2017 and January 2019, McCall made six illegal firearm purchases from Ben’s Loan Inc. in Renton. Each time, she lied on the federal paperwork, claiming she was the end user when, in reality, she was a ‘straw buyer’ – purchasing guns for individuals who were legally prohibited from owning them. The scheme involved her son, who prosecutors say modified some of the weapons into automatic firearms and distributed them to gang members, including one recently released from prison.

McCall initially told investigators she didn’t know where the guns ended up, but the truth is far more damning. She admitted to receiving $200 for at least one of the purchases, demonstrating a clear financial incentive in the illicit operation. When questioned about the firearms, McCall fabricated a story, claiming they were being stored by a fictitious “Uncle James,” a blatant attempt to mislead federal agents.

The Department of Justice is pursuing maximum penalties. McCall pleaded guilty to three federal felonies: conspiracy to violate the Gun Control Act, making a false statement to a government agent, and making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. She faces up to five years in prison for the conspiracy and false statement charges, and up to ten years for the firearms acquisition charge. Sentencing is scheduled for December 7, 2020, before U.S. District Judge James L. Robart.

This case falls under Project Guardian, a DOJ initiative aimed at aggressively tackling gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws. Attorney General William Barr launched the program in 2019, focusing federal resources on the most dangerous criminals and coordinating efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement. The goal: to get guns out of the hands of those who would do our communities harm.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca prosecuting the case. This conviction sends a clear message: those who facilitate the flow of weapons to criminals will be held accountable, no matter how deeply they try to hide their actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.