LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – A husband and wife team operating out of Lafayette are headed to federal prison after a jury convicted them of running a sprawling, unlicensed firearms operation. Jeremiah Micah Deare, 40, and Sarah Elaine Fogle, 33, were sentenced Wednesday afternoon for conspiring to deal firearms without a license, falsifying crucial records, and deliberately dodging federal background checks – a dangerous combination that flooded the streets with guns without proper vetting.
Jeremiah Deare, the owner of Dave’s Gunshop, LLC, and Fogle, his wife, weren’t just bending the rules; they were outright ignoring them. Evidence presented at the November 2023 trial revealed the couple sold, or attempted to sell, hundreds of firearms from their home and at gun shows, all while sidestepping the legal requirements placed on licensed dealers. Authorities seized 246 firearms from the couple’s residence, many still bearing price tags, and are now seeking forfeiture of a total of 619 firearms linked to the illicit operation.
The ATF first flagged issues with Dave’s Gunshop back in August 2019 during a compliance inspection. A subsequent warning conference in Baton Rouge laid bare a litany of violations: incomplete background check forms (one instance), inaccurate recordkeeping of acquisitions and dispositions (129 times combined), transferring firearms without NICS approval (twice), and numerous errors on ATF-4473 forms (111 times). Deare signed an acknowledgement of federal regulations, essentially admitting he understood his responsibilities. He and Fogle then proceeded to brazenly disregard them.
Rather than correct course, Deare and Fogle doubled down. They acquired firearms from estate sales and other sources without documenting them in official records. Firearms brought in on consignment were similarly ignored, bypassing Dave’s Gunshop’s books entirely. These guns were then hawked at gun shows, completely circumventing the background check process. The couple’s actions weren’t about a simple paperwork error; it was a calculated scheme to profit from illegal gun sales, putting weapons in the hands of potentially dangerous individuals.
United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. handed down the sentences yesterday. Deare received a hefty 97 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Fogle received 60 months in prison, also followed by 3 years of supervised release. These sentences send a clear message: profiting from illegal gun sales and endangering public safety will be met with serious consequences.
U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown emphasized the severity of the crime. “This case highlights the importance of responsible gun sales and the dangers of those who attempt to circumvent the law,” Brown stated. The investigation, led by the ATF, underscores the agency’s commitment to cracking down on illegal firearms trafficking and holding those who violate federal laws accountable. The forfeiture of 619 firearms will remove a significant number of weapons from circulation, at least temporarily.
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