Straw Gun Purchasers Indicted in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Eleven individuals have been indicted on charges involving straw purchasing of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.

According to the 14-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court, between September 2020 and December 2020, multiple handguns were purchased by straw purchasers from licensed firearms dealers located in Tuscaloosa County.

Adrian Benito Carter, 26, of Tuscaloosa, faces 13 counts including felon possession of a firearm, engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license, and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

Chasitychampayle La’Shay Bell, 23, and April Nicole Knox, 30, both of Tuscaloosa, are charged with making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Rikela Denise Chandler, 23, and Laquetta Venea Hall, 40, also of Tuscaloosa, face charges for making false statements for federal firearm licensee records.

Timothy Neal Coleman, 28, Aaron Tyrone Taylor, 23, Christopher Jermaine Dean, 33, Tyler Allen Neal, 23, and La’darrius Deshon Whitehead, 25, all from Tuscaloosa, are charged with both making false statements for federal firearm licensee records and during the purchase of a firearm. Darron Deshone Taylor, Jr., 25, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

The maximum penalty for these offenses ranges from five years to ten years in prison. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through comprehensive community solutions. The ATF’s “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign also targets straw purchases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney Plyler is prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains only charges, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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