Two men from Floyd County, Kentucky have been charged with illegally selling firearms. Wayne Tackett, 64, of Harold, Ky., and Carlos Hall, 72, of Prestonsburg, Ky., were indicted by a federal grand jury in London, Ky., for their involvement in the illegal sale of firearms.
According to the indictment, Tackett and Hall, who were not licensed firearms dealers, aided and abetted each other to engage in the business of dealing firearms. Separately, the indictment charges Tackett with six counts of knowingly selling firearms to a convicted felon and one count of trafficking in firearms. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of more than 80 firearms.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble.
Tackett and Hall each face a maximum of five years in prison for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Tackett also faces a maximum of 15 years for each of the additional charges, which include knowingly selling firearms to a convicted felon and trafficking in firearms. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
This case is being prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The indictment was announced by Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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