Mikell Baez, Making False Statements During Acquisition of a Firearm, New Hampshire 2021

CONCORD, N.H. – A 25-year-old Nashua man is facing serious federal charges after allegedly acting as a straw purchaser, funneling eight firearms into the hands of an unknown individual. Mikell Baez was indicted November 15th on six counts of making false statements during the acquisition of a firearm, a scheme that spanned from August to November 2021.

According to court documents, Baez repeatedly visited licensed firearms dealers in Merrimack, Hudson, and Amherst, purchasing weapons while falsely claiming he was the intended owner. This is a classic tactic used to bypass background checks and put guns into the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them. The indictment alleges Baez knowingly lied on ATF form 4473, the standard form required for firearm purchases, on each of the six occasions.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, uncovering the pattern of deceit. While the identity of the ultimate recipient of these firearms remains sealed in court records, the implications are clear: Baez allegedly played a direct role in circumventing gun laws. The Grimy Times will continue to investigate the end user of these weapons.

Baez made his initial appearance in federal court on December 19th and was released under certain conditions pending further proceedings. If convicted on all counts, he faces a hefty penalty – up to 10 years in federal prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release, and a fine reaching $250,000. However, sentencing is ultimately at the discretion of the federal district court judge, guided by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case, and will be tasked with proving Baez’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges contained in the indictment are allegations at this stage, and Baez is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the evidence presented thus far paints a troubling picture of deliberate deception and a blatant disregard for the law.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves through the judicial system. This indictment serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to keep illegal firearms off the streets and the lengths to which some individuals will go to profit from the trade. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, led by Jane E. Young, is responsible for the prosecution.

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