Dontarius S. Dixon, Straw Purchase, Illinois 2022

A Peoria, Illinois man, Dontarius S. Dixon, 29, was sentenced to nine months in prison for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

Dixon was found to have falsified documents, stating he was the actual buyer of a Glock model 19x 9mm, when in fact he was buying it for a convicted felon.

The felon, an acquaintance of Dixon’s, approached him and asked him to make the purchase because Dixon had a valid Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card.

Dixon was given $1,200 to purchase both the gun for his friend and one for himself. He purchased the Glock 19x, as well as a Glock 43x 9mm for himself, from The Tac Shack, a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), on September 3, 2020.

The next day, September 4, 2020, Peoria Police recovered the Glock 19x from a vehicle outside the Dream Night Club in Peoria, Illinois. The handgun was in possession of the documented street gang member and was accompanied by an extended magazine, several additional magazines, ammunition, and a speed loader.

Dixon also admitted to agents of the ATF that he had lied to police about a shooting and had accidentally shot himself in the leg with the Glock 43x that he purchased, then threw the gun in a bush off Farmington Road.

U.S. District Judge James Shadid found Dixon had put others at great risk by putting guns in the hands of individuals who couldn’t lawfully possess them.

Dixon was indicted in August 2021 and pleaded guilty in February 2022. He was released on bond with conditions since indictment.

The statutory penalties for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm are no more than 10 years imprisonment, followed by up to 3 years supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine.

The ATF and Peoria Police Department investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution.

The case was brought as part of The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

Defendant: Dontarius S. Dixon, 29, of the 2800 block of West Larchmont Lane, Peoria, Illinois

Criminal Charges: Making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm

City and State: Peoria, Illinois

Exact Date: February 2022

Sentence or Outcome: Nine months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release

Dollar Amounts: $1,200

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