BREAKING: A Beckley woman has been convicted of being a straw purchaser, further eroding trust in the community.
According to court documents, Arileah Lacy, also known as Leah, 24, bought a Ruger, Model Ruger-57, 5.7×28 caliber pistol, for an individual who is separately charged in a pending gun trafficking conspiracy, Bisheem Jones, also known as ‘Bosh.’
Lacy purchased at least six firearms as part of the overall scheme. Each time Lacy bought firearms for Jones, she lied on ATF Form 4473, Federal Firearms Transaction Records certifying that she was buying the guns for herself when she knew they were for Jones.
Lacy is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which conducted the investigation.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the government’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.
Defendant: Arileah Lacy
Criminal Charges: Providing false information on an ATF form
City and State: Beckley, West Virginia
EXACT DATE: April 14, 2021
Sentence or Outcome: Faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: $250,000 fine
Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Phares, Grave Marker Swindles, West Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- Robert Thomas, Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- Stephen C. Crawford, Inmate Murder, West Virginia 2024 · Indiana
- Stephen C. Crawford, Inmate Stabbing, West Virginia 2024 · Indiana
- Dwight Foster, Assault of a Correctional Officer, West Virginia 2023 · Indiana
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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