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Jeremiah Deare, Firearms Conspiracy, Lafayette LA, 2023
LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – A husband and wife team from Broussard are facing federal sentencing after a jury convicted them of running a sprawling, unlicensed firearms operation. Jeremiah Micah Deare, 37, and Sarah Elaine Fogle, 30, were found guilty Thursday evening on charges of conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, falsifying records, and failing to file required sales reports. The verdict follows a week-long trial in Lafayette federal court where prosecutors laid out a case of brazen disregard for federal gun laws.
The couple allegedly sold – and attempted to sell – hundreds of firearms from their residence and at gun shows, bypassing the essential background checks that keep weapons out of the hands of criminals. Evidence presented to the jury included a chilling display: 246 firearms seized from the couple’s home, many still bearing price tags. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of a staggering 619 firearms linked to the illegal operation. This wasn’t a mom-and-pop operation; it was a calculated scheme to profit from the unregulated sale of deadly weapons.
Court records reveal Deare owned Dave’s Gunshop, LLC, aka “Dave’s,” and held the Federal Firearms License for the store. However, the indictment alleges Deare and Fogle operated outside the bounds of that license, conducting much of their business personally and illegally. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued numerous warnings to the couple after a compliance inspection in August 2019. They were cited for a litany of violations, including failing to complete background check forms (one instance), inaccurate record-keeping (129 times), transferring firearms without necessary clearances (two times), and missing firearms. Deare signed an acknowledgment of federal firearms regulations, confirming he understood his responsibilities.
Despite the warnings, the prosecution argued Deare and Fogle *willfully* continued their illegal activities. They allegedly acquired firearms from estate sales and other sources without properly documenting them, and sold consignment firearms off the books at gun shows, again avoiding the required background checks. Essentially, they were running a shadow gun store alongside the legitimate one, pocketing the profits while flouting the law. The jury clearly saw through the scheme.
Witness testimony painted a picture of a couple prioritizing profit over public safety. The sheer volume of firearms involved – the 619 facing forfeiture – suggests a sustained and significant illegal enterprise. The ATF’s investigation uncovered a pattern of deliberate circumvention of federal regulations. The government now intends to seek forfeiture of all firearms involved in the commission of these offenses, a substantial blow to the couple’s illicit business.
Jeremiah Micah Deare, 37, and Sarah Elaine Fogle, 30, both of Broussard, now await sentencing. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, led by U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown, has not yet announced the sentencing date or potential penalties. However, given the scope of the conspiracy and the number of firearms involved, significant prison time is almost certain. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who profit from illegal gun sales will be held accountable under federal law.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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