Thomas Evans Kelly Indicted for Straw Gun Buying in Charlotte

Charlotte man Thomas Evans Kelly, 28, stood before a federal judge in Raleigh, N.C. today, facing charges tied to the illegal straw purchase of three firearms and operating as an unlicensed gun dealer. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in Charlotte in October, alleges Kelly lied on federal forms and falsely claimed to be the actual buyer during the August 2019 transactions at a licensed Charlotte dealer.

Federal agents took Kelly into custody in Durham, N.C. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, after a probe led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Acting U.S. Attorney William T. Stetzer for the Western District of North Carolina confirmed the arrest and court appearance, underscoring the seriousness of falsifying federal firearms paperwork—a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the indictment, Kelly not only misrepresented himself during the gun purchases but also allegedly engaged in a broader pattern of illegal firearms dealing. Between July 29 and October 1, 2019, he is accused of selling or transferring multiple guns without the required federal license. That charge alone carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Vincent C. Pallozzi, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Charlotte Field Division, backed the DOJ’s announcement, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to cracking down on illegal firearms trafficking. Straw purchases funnel weapons to individuals who otherwise couldn’t pass background checks, often arming criminals and fueling violent crime in communities across North Carolina.

Despite the severity of the charges, Kelly was released on bond following his court appearance. Prosecutors argue the evidence, including federal forms signed under penalty of perjury and transaction records, paints a clear picture of deliberate deception. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl is handling the prosecution for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.

The case remains ongoing. As with all federal indictments, the allegations against Thomas Evans Kelly are presumed false until proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court. However, law enforcement officials warn that straw purchasing is not a victimless crime—it’s a pipeline for guns to reach dangerous hands.