Miracle Vaughn, False Statements Firearms, Iowa 2023

DAVENPORT, IA – Miracle Star Vaughn, 27, of North Liberty, Iowa, is headed to federal prison for a year and a day after admitting she lied to purchase seven handguns over 18 months. The scheme, revealed in court documents, funneled firearms into the hands of individuals legally barred from owning them – a clear case of fueling the cycle of gun violence, authorities say.

Between unspecified dates, Vaughn repeatedly provided false information regarding her address and history of drug use when buying firearms from Scheels in Coralville. One of those guns surfaced in Chicago, clutched by Dimione Walker, a convicted felon already wanted on a federal warrant. Another landed in the possession of Vaughn’s boyfriend and co-defendant, Michael Haythorn, also a prohibited person. The ATF and Iowa City Police Department investigation quickly untangled Vaughn’s deception.

Federal prosecutors successfully argued that Vaughn didn’t just commit a paperwork crime. The District Court emphasized the “danger to the community” created by her actions, specifically noting that her clean record allowed her to amass the arsenal in the first place. Even when confronted by law enforcement, Vaughn continued to mislead investigators, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law, court records show.

Vaughn’s 12-month and one-day sentence is followed by three years of supervised release – a standard term in the federal system, where parole is not an option. Her co-defendant, Michael Haythorn, has already pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23, 2023. Expect a similarly harsh penalty, given the circumstances.

“Straw purchasing is a serious crime that contributes to the epidemic of gun violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa. While the statement rings familiar, it underscores the federal government’s focus on disrupting the illegal flow of firearms. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies to curb violent crime.

The ATF is urging anyone with information about illegal firearms activity, including straw purchases, to come forward. Tipsters can contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or utilize the ReportIt mobile app to submit anonymous information. This case serves as a warning: lying to obtain firearms carries serious consequences, and those who facilitate the arming of criminals will face federal prosecution.

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