MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Clifton Earl Jiles, 31, of St. Paul, admitted in federal court yesterday to running a shadow gun-buying operation, illegally acquiring at least nine firearms and handing one off to a prohibited individual. Jiles isn’t a collector, nor is he a sportsman; he’s a facilitator for those who can’t legally own weapons, and now he’s facing the consequences.
According to court documents, Jiles knowingly lied on ATF Form 4473 when purchasing a firearm on March 20, 2021. The form requires buyers to attest they are the actual purchaser, a claim Jiles repeatedly falsified. He confessed to using this deception to obtain nine guns, turning himself into a key link in a dangerous chain.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation revealed that Jiles didn’t just stockpile these firearms. He actively transferred at least one to an individual legally barred from possessing them – a critical detail that elevates the severity of the offense. The identity of that individual remains sealed, but the implications are clear: a weapon intended for illicit use was successfully put into circulation thanks to Jiles’ actions.
Jiles pleaded guilty to one count of false statement during the purchase of a firearm before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court. While the charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison, the actual length of Jiles’ incarceration will depend on sentencing guidelines and the judge’s discretion. A sentencing hearing date has not yet been set.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case, aiming to hold Jiles accountable for his role in fueling the illegal gun market. This case underscores the ATF’s ongoing efforts to crack down on straw purchasers – individuals who exploit loopholes in the system to arm criminals and endanger communities.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the legal system. Jiles’ plea serves as a stark reminder that those who facilitate illegal gun sales will face federal prosecution and potentially significant prison time. The question remains: who was Jiles supplying, and how many more illegal firearms are circulating because of his actions?
Related Federal Cases
- Clifton Jiles, Straw Purchasing, St. Paul MN, 2023 · Minnesota
- Ashley Dyrdahl, Straw Purchasing, Burnsville MN, 2024 · Illinois
- Travis Galtney, Illegal Firearms, St. Paul MN, 2023 · Minnesota
- Guy George Parenteau, Firearms Burglary, MT, 2013 · Montana
- Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force Seizes 94 Firearms · Illinois
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