WALKER, MN – A convicted felon from Cass County has confessed to orchestrating a scheme to illegally acquire a firearm, federal prosecutors announced today. Donald Duane Armstrong, Jr., 36, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. The plea comes after a raid on Armstrong’s home revealed a disturbing stockpile of weapons.
The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), details how Armstrong enlisted a co-conspirator to purchase a Glock model 23 G5, 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol on May 26, 2023, from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Walker, Minnesota. The co-conspirator knowingly lied on the required ATF Form 4473, falsely claiming to be the actual buyer of the weapon when the true intent was to deliver it to Armstrong. As a convicted felon, Armstrong is legally prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
Federal agents didn’t stop at the initial straw purchase. On June 14, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Armstrong’s residence. What they found was a veritable armory: a total of 14 firearms, including the Glock purchased through the illegal scheme. The discovery raises serious questions about how Armstrong accumulated such a substantial collection while already barred from owning weapons.
According to court documents, Armstrong’s prior felony convictions make any possession of firearms a federal offense. The specifics of those convictions weren’t immediately released, but they underscore the danger posed by individuals attempting to circumvent gun laws through straw purchases. The ATF has been cracking down on these schemes, which often funnel weapons to individuals who are otherwise ineligible to own them.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead is leading the prosecution. While a sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled, Armstrong now faces significant penalties for his actions. The case highlights the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, all working to keep illegal firearms off the streets.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, led by United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger, has made no comment beyond the official press release. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses towards sentencing and will provide updates as they become available. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against illegal gun trafficking and the consequences for those who attempt to exploit loopholes in the law.
Related Federal Cases
- Miklos Terrel DATES Jr., Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Minnesota · Minnesota
- Lewis Edward Byrd III, Federal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2022 · Illinois
- Tavaris Michael Dixon, Possessing Firearm as Felon, Minnesota 2024 · Illinois
- Nathan Anderson, Possessing a Stolen Firearm, Minnesota 2013 · Minnesota
- Christopher Lee Rousseau, Armed Career Criminal, Minnesota 2013 · New Mexico
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