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Mackey Drake, Gun Store Burglary, La Crosse WI, 2024
La Crosse, WI – Mackey Drake, 23, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison for 6.5 years after pleading guilty to possessing firearms as a felon. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley, stems from a late-night break-in at a Rockland, Wisconsin gun store last April. Drake, already on extended supervision for prior felony robbery convictions from 2017 and 2020, wasn’t just casing the joint – he was actively participating in a scheme to steal and redistribute illegal weapons.
According to court documents, Drake and two accomplices smashed into the Rockland gun store around 3:00 a.m. on April 25, 2023, making off with 41 firearms and a stash of cash. Law enforcement moved swiftly, identifying Drake and arresting him the same day as he showed up for a routine check-in with his Department of Corrections agent. The bust revealed a disturbing pattern: Drake didn’t just steal the guns, he sold some of them to Briante Banks, another convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms. Banks is scheduled to be sentenced April 26, 2024.
Judge Conley didn’t mince words during sentencing. He expressed deep concern that many of the stolen firearms remain unaccounted for, likely circulating on the streets and potentially fueling further criminal activity. The judge emphasized Drake’s “propensity for violence” and a “unbroken chain of criminal conduct” as justification for the substantial prison term. Drake was also ordered to pay restitution to the gun store.
U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin framed the case as a victory for community safety. “Community safety—where every child can play outside without fear of gun violence and where neighbors feel safe—is paramount for the United States Department of Justice,” O’Shea stated. ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle echoed that sentiment, highlighting the danger of “firearms trafficking” and commending the collaborative effort of the La Crosse Police Department and La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office.
Drake wasn’t the only one facing consequences. Nehemiah Sample, another participant in the burglary, already pleaded guilty to theft of firearms and received a 24-month prison sentence. Robert Benson, the third suspect, remains at large and is presumed innocent. The investigation, a coordinated effort between local and federal agencies, falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Justice Department initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by targeting illegal gun possession and related offenses.
The ATF’s Riddle made a pointed statement about the broader implications of the case. “We are sincerely grateful for our partnership…that directly led to the swift arrest of the perpetrators and led to the recovery of a majority of the stolen firearms, preventing them from reaching the hands of violent criminals.” While a majority were recovered, the lingering question remains: where are the rest, and what damage will they cause?
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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