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Madison Gun Trafficker Baker Gets 2 Years Federal Prison
MADISON, WIS. – Deovion Baker, 20, of Madison, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today to two years for directing a straw purchase of firearms and then illegally receiving another gun while already facing federal charges. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson also considered Baker’s disturbing habit of importing illegal machinegun conversion devices when handing down the sentence, followed by three years of supervised release.
The case began unraveling last September when Candice Patterson, Baker’s co-defendant, illegally purchased two Glock handguns for him. One of those Glocks quickly turned up in the hands of a convicted felon in Madison, equipped with a device to turn it into a fully automatic weapon. Another was found in Springfield, Illinois, also with a felon. Baker, seemingly undeterred, then received a third Glock while *already* under indictment for the initial straw purchase – a clear violation of federal law. Law enforcement found that weapon on Baker during a traffic stop last November.
But the firearms weren’t the full extent of Baker’s illegal activities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted suspicious packages arriving at Baker’s address from China in July and August of 2023. Inside: machinegun conversion devices. An investigation revealed Baker had received a total of 19 such packages, turning semi-automatic pistols into dangerous, uncontrollable weapons capable of firing 50 rounds in just four seconds. These devices represent a significant threat to public safety, even for experienced shooters.
“Straw purchases undermine our efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of those legally prohibited from possessing them,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma. “Weapons in the hands of those prohibited from possessing them are a direct threat to the public. This is particularly true when those weapons are converted into machineguns. I commend our law enforcement partners in this case for bringing defendant’s conduct to light.” Judge Peterson clearly agreed, rejecting Baker’s plea for probation given the severity of the crimes and his continued disregard for the law even *after* entering a plea agreement.
Candice Patterson, 27, pleaded guilty to making false statements on federal firearms forms related to the straw purchases and received three years of probation. The investigation was a collaborative effort by the Madison Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force – a multi-agency team dedicated to stemming the flow of illegal firearms in the Western District of Wisconsin.
The sentencing of Deovion Baker sends a clear message: those who traffic in illegal firearms and attempt to evade the law will face serious consequences. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force continues to actively investigate and prosecute individuals involved in gun violence and illegal firearms trafficking, working to keep our communities safe. Assistant U.S. Attorney [Name Redacted] prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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