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Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms Lands Springfield Man 78 Months in Prison
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield man with ties to a local gang has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for using a straw purchaser to illegally acquire firearms.
DeSean L. Franklin, 24, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 78 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Franklin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms on Nov. 25, 2024. He admitted to conspiring to receive a firearm from another, knowing that he was prohibited from possessing one.
This case is one of several linked to the ‘ODB’ gang, which has been linked to a number of violent and firearm offenses. Many of the members of ODB are unable to purchase firearms due to their youth, history of drug use, or other prohibited status and use straw purchasers to obtain them.
Investigators with the ATF observed Franklin and another defendant, Raimaiya L. Tyson, at a gun show in Greene County, Mo., on Aug. 12, 2023. Tyson attempted to purchase a Draco pistol but was denied due to pending felony criminal charges. Later that morning, Tyson and Franklin returned to the gun show with a third defendant, Joseph M. Johnson, who purchased a Micro Draco 7.62 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
On Aug. 31, 2023, deputies with the Greene County Sherriff’s Office searched Franklin’s vehicle during a traffic stop and found the loaded Draco pistol, which was equipped with a high-capacity magazine, and three other firearms. Franklin admitted that the Draco pistol belonged to him, and claimed he had purchased it at a gun show.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Franklin is one of three defendants in this case who have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms. Joseph M. Johnson pleaded guilty on May 20, 2024, and was sentenced to 5 years of probation. Raimaiya L. Tyson pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2024, and was sentenced to 19 months.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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