Shatez Damauri-Quadre Franklin, Straw Purchasing, Virginia 2023

State: Virginia
Category: Weapons
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/emporia-man-sentenced-prison-straw-purchasing-5-firearms" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

An Emporia man has been sentenced to one year in prison for lying on ATF forms in the course of straw purchasing five firearms, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Shatez Damauri-Quadre Franklin, 23, was sentenced on March 16, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston, Jr. for making false statements on ATF forms during the purchase of five firearms from a sporting goods store in Colonial Heights.

According to court documents, Franklin represented himself as the true buyer of the firearms, but immediately after receiving them, he transferred them to another individual who planned to resell them in Washington, D.C. Franklin was paid by the individual for making the purchases.

The case is part of Project Guardian, a signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian enhances coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes, improves information-sharing, and ensures that federal resources are directed at the greatest threats to communities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia T. Giles and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael C. Tucker prosecuted the case. G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing.

Franklin’s sentencing is a significant blow to those who would misuse firearms and evade the law.

A copy of the press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:20-cr-125.

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