SCRANTON, PA – Windall Mitchell, 34, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is headed to federal prison for three years after admitting to a scheme to illegally obtain firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley handed down the 30-month sentence on April 30, 2024, for conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the purchase of multiple guns.
Mitchell, along with his alleged co-conspirator, Yesenia Ramos, 43, of Stroudsburg, allegedly provided false information to federally licensed firearms dealers in Monroe County between May 15, 2021, and June 14, 2022. The pair are accused of facilitating the purchase of ten firearms during that period. The scheme unraveled when one of the purchased weapons surfaced in New York City, turning up during a police investigation.
Federal prosecutors detailed that Mitchell pleaded guilty to the conspiracy, admitting his role in the illegal gun purchases. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), alongside the Pennsylvania State Police, spearheaded the investigation, tracing the firearms back to the initial fraudulent transactions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara led the prosecution, building the case against Mitchell and Ramos.
While Mitchell’s fate is sealed, the charges against Ramos remain pending. Authorities haven’t released details regarding her potential plea or trial date, leaving the possibility of further legal battles on the horizon. The ATF’s investigation suggests a deliberate effort to circumvent federal gun laws, raising questions about the intended use of the illegally obtained weapons.
U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam framed the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The program emphasizes a multi-pronged approach, including building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategic enforcement.
This case highlights the continued efforts of federal agencies to crack down on illegal firearms trafficking and hold accountable those who attempt to arm criminals. The recovery of the weapon in New York City underscores the interstate nature of gun crime and the importance of coordinated investigations. Mitchell will begin his 30-month sentence, while the legal proceedings against Yesenia Ramos continue.
Related Federal Cases
- Sergei Zharnovnikov, Conspiracy to Export Firearms, New York 2024 · Illinois
- Larry Mitchell Hopkins, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New Mexico 2023 · New York
- Yesenia Ramos, Straw Purchases, Pennsylvania 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Harold Rinko, Syria Export Scheme, PA, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Victor Kingsley, WMD Detonation, NY 2017 · New York
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