In a move to crack down on gun violence, a 27-year-old Edgerton man has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for inducing a false statement during the purchase of firearms from a licensed dealer. Lorenzo Lacey, 27, was handed the sentence by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley on March 22, 2024 in the Western District of Wisconsin.
Lacey pleaded guilty to the charge on March 7, 2024, admitting to inducing co-defendant Irene Johll, 23, of Oregon, Wisconsin, to falsely state on firearms purchase forms that she was the actual purchaser of three handguns. In reality, Lacey was the actual buyer, a practice known as a ‘straw purchase.’ This tactic is strictly prohibited and poses a serious threat to public safety.
At Lacey’s sentencing, Judge Conley expressed his concern over the case, highlighting the numerous warning signs that indicated the severity of Lacey’s actions. The judge noted that Madison has seen its fair share of violent shootings, and many of the firearms used in these crimes are obtained illegally. ‘There were many red flags indicating the severity of his conduct,’ Judge Conley stated.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it clear that it will continue to target ‘straw purchase’ cases and work closely with local law enforcement to reduce gun violence. U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea praised the partnership with the Fitchburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ‘We will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable those who use guns in crime and those who provide guns to criminals,’ O’Shea said.
Lacey’s sentence includes three years of supervised release following his prison term. He is also facing charges in Dane County Circuit Court stemming from an alleged shooting that involved one of the firearms purchased for him by Johll. Lacey is presumed innocent in this case until proven guilty.
The federal charges against Lacey were the result of an investigation led by the Fitchburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime through coordination between state and federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.
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Related Federal Cases
- Edgerton Man Sentenced for Straw Purchasing Firearms · Wisconsin
- Sun Prairie Man Jailed 30 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearms · Wisconsin
- Sun Prairie Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearms and Ammunition · Wisconsin
- Albany Gun Dealer Indicted on Federal Firearms Charges · Oregon
- Oregon Man Threatens to Kill U.S. Senator · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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