PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia woman has been convicted of illegally purchasing three semi-automatic firearms for her romantic partner, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Brihany Baker, 25, was convicted today at trial of knowingly making false statements to a federal firearms licensee and making a false statement to a federal firearms licensee, both felonies. The charges stem from an investigation into straw purchasers of firearms at a gun dealer in Horsham, PA in June 2020.
According to the indictment, in July 2020, Baker returned to the store and purchased the three semi-automatic firearms, stating on a federal form 4473 that she was buying them for herself and not another person. However, she subsequently confessed that she lied on the form and actually bought the firearms for her boyfriend, Donte Maxwell, who was prohibited from buying firearms at the time due to a felony charge.
“The purpose of our ‘All Hands On Deck’ initiative is, first and foremost, to prevent violent crime, which includes targeting for prosecution straw firearms purchasers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “By charging crimes like straw purchasing of firearms, where firearms are purchased in order to turn them over to people who are prohibited from legally buying or possessing them, we can cut off the supply of illegal weapons at the source. Now, this defendant will face the consequences of her actions.”
Baker was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Miller. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
The defendant’s boyfriend, Donte Maxwell, was prohibited from buying firearms due to a felony charge at the time of the purchase. The investigation showed that Maxwell placed a $200 deposit on the three semi-automatic firearms, handled the firearms, and took pictures of the firearms before Baker purchased them.
Baker’s conviction comes as part of the renewed focus on targeting violent criminals and reducing violent crime in the Philadelphia area. The case is a prime example of the importance of targeting those who attempt to circumvent the law and provide firearms to those who are prohibited from possessing them.
“ATF is committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals prohibited from legally possessing them,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Straw purchasing is a serious offense in which ATF along with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible. This conviction ensures this defendant can no longer purchase firearms for others.”
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Brihany Baker
Criminal Charges: Criminal conspiracy to knowingly make false statements to a federal firearms licensee, making a false statement to a federal firearms licensee
City and State: Philadelphia, PA
Exact Date: July 2020
Sentence or Outcome: Convicted at trial, awaiting sentencing
Dollar Amounts: $200 deposit on three semi-automatic firearms
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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