Rachel Torey Danielle Epperson, Adam Alan Blodgett, Gun Charges, Alaska 2020

Anchorage Man and Woman Indicted on Federal Gun Charges in Connection with April 2020 Shooting Death

Rachel Torey Danielle Epperson, 30, and Adam Alan Blodgett, 37, both of Anchorage, have been indicted on federal gun charges in connection with the April 4, 2020, shooting death of another individual.

Epperson and Blodgett have both been charged with conspiracy and acquiring a firearm by deception. Blodgett has also been charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Epperson was arrested on April 4, 2020, and Blodgett was arrested on July 16, 2020.

According to federal charging documents, on March 17, 2020, Epperson is alleged to have straw-purchased a firearm from a licensed gun dealer on behalf of Blodgett, who, with six prior felony convictions, was unable to purchase one himself. At the direction of Blodgett, Epperson allegedly purchased a 9mm pistol for Blodgett, who had taken possession of the pistol thereafter.

The federal charges stem from an April 4, 2020, shooting that resulted in the death of another individual. Epperson and Blodgett are currently facing charges with the State of Alaska for Manslaughter in connection to the shooting death. Additionally, Epperson, along with Angelique Aurora Petty, 34, are also facing charges with the State of Alaska for Attempted Murder and Assault of Blodgett.

If convicted on the federal charges, Epperson and Blodgett face a maximum of 10 years in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case. The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Klugman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Rachel Torey Danielle Epperson and Adam Alan Blodgett

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy, acquiring a firearm by deception, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

City and State: Anchorage, Alaska

Exact Date: April 4, 2020, and July 16, 2020

Sentence or Outcome: Maximum of 10 years in prison

Dollar Amounts: None

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-man-and-woman-indicted-federal-gun-charges-connection-april-2020-shooting-death