FORT WAYNE, IN – Cornelius Jackson, 34, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is headed to federal prison after admitting to orchestrating a straw purchase for a firearm and illegally possessing a weapon despite a lengthy criminal record. Judge Holly A. Brady handed down an 84-month sentence, followed by two years of supervised release, on Thursday.
The scheme, uncovered in August 2021, involved Jackson, a convicted felon, recruiting another individual to buy a gun on his behalf from a licensed dealer. Not content with simply using a proxy, Jackson then secured a third person to finance the illegal transaction. The purchased firearm wasn’t for personal protection; Jackson quickly flipped it, selling it to someone legally prohibited from owning a gun. This wasn’t a first offense; Jackson boasts three prior felony convictions, automatically disqualifying him from firearm ownership.
Federal investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Fort Wayne Police Department, pieced together the intricate scheme. The investigation revealed a clear pattern of Jackson circumventing the law to obtain and distribute firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith prosecuted the case, successfully demonstrating Jackson’s deliberate disregard for gun laws.
“This case highlights the dangerous consequences of straw purchasing and the importance of holding accountable those who put firearms into the hands of prohibited individuals,” a source within the ATF stated, speaking on background. “Jackson wasn’t just breaking the law; he was actively contributing to the potential for violence in our communities.” The source confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to determine if Jackson was involved in other illegal firearms transactions.
U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson, for the Northern District of Indiana, framed the sentencing as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention groups, and prioritizing strategic enforcement. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing focused enforcement and measurable results.
Jackson’s 84-month sentence sends a clear message: those who attempt to bypass gun laws and arm criminals will face serious federal penalties. The case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly indirect involvement in illegal firearm transactions carries significant legal risk, and federal agencies are actively working to dismantle these networks and keep weapons out of the wrong hands. The Chicago Field Division of the ATF led the investigation.
Related Federal Cases
- Wayne Banks, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, MO 2024 · Missouri
- Michael Andrew Ford, Felon Firearm Possession, IL, 2016 · Illinois
- Christopher Hutton, Illegal Firearm Possession, Hammond IN, 2023 · Illinois
- Charles Allen Roark, Illegal Firearm Possession, MO 2016 · Illinois
- Cory Jean Gainey, Firearm Straw Purchase, W.Va. 2015 · West Virginia
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