Dennis Latour, $830,000 Fraud, Gun Crimes, Missouri 2024

Convicted Felon Admits $830,000 Fraud, Gun Crimes in Missouri

A convicted felon has admitted to bilking investors out of $830,000 and illegally acquiring dozens of guns in Missouri. Dennis Latour, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to purchase one or more firearms for a convicted felon, and 13 counts of wire fraud.

The scheme, which began in June 2022, involved Latour falsely claiming to have made successful investments in the cannabis industry and telling two victims that they could participate by 'piggybacking' on his investment. Latour used the money to fund his personal lifestyle and to pay for items such as firearms, vehicles, and jet skis. One victim lost $718,271 and the other lost $112,340.

Latour also admitted to illegally acquiring dozens of guns, including a Barrett .50-caliber rifle and ammunition, despite being a convicted felon who is barred from possessing firearms. His girlfriend, Jennifer Keegan, 50, pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to purchase one or more firearms for a convicted felon.

On Feb. 24, 2023, Latour tried to buy a Barrett .50-caliber rifle and ammunition from an online firearms retailer but was rejected because of concerns about his criminal history. However, Keegan was able to purchase multiple firearms on his behalf, including a Barrett rifle and another rifle from a retailer in St. Charles, Missouri.

On Sept. 26, 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) performed a court-approved search of the home the couple shared in Des Peres, Missouri. They found 27 firearms in a 'vault' room, and two pistols in the couple's bedroom.

Latour is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both prison and a fine. Keegan is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2025, and faces the same potential sentence.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/missouri-felon-admits-830000-fraud-gun-crimes