Erica MacDonald Quoted by KMSP-TV on Possible Convictions Related to Straw Purchases

In a news segment for KMSP-TV regarding a Minnesota case, business litigation partner Erica MacDonald addressed possible convictions related to illegal straw purchases, meaning someone buying a gun as a proxy.

MacDonald said, “Federally, if you are convicted of making a straw purchase, you face up to 15 years in prison with the exception that it could be up to 25 years in prison if it’s purchased knowing that it was going to be used in a drug trafficking crime, a terrorist event of some sort or a felony offense.” She added, “What you’re going to look at is what is the life of that gun — where did that gun start, who owned the gun, who are the registered owners and how did it get in his hands? And so you’re going to trace that gun ownership back, which we can do through records.”

“Given the nature of the case and the circumstances and the severity of the case, they are going to want to make sure that they have done everything right with the investigation,” explained MacDonald. “There is no need to rush. You want to get all your records in place. You want to get the witnesses locked in and the grand jury. You want to use all the processes as you can before charges will be brought.”

MacDonald added, “That being said, it is not a complicated case once you have those records. And so, we shall see when and if charges are brought and against whom. And we will see where they are brought. You know, it is not uncommon for the feds to work hand in glove with the state and make the appropriate determination as to the best jurisdiction where the case should be brought.”