Woman Straw Purchased Guns In Oak Forest: Feds

OAK FOREST, IL — A Chicago woman has been indicted on federal firearm charges after prosecutors said she purchased handguns in Oak Forest for another person, known as a straw purchase, according to an indictment from the U.S. District Court in Chicago.

The indictment states that on three separate occasions, Diamond Smith, 28, bought seven handguns for another person from Eagle Sports Range (Eagle Gun Club LLC), located at 5900 W. 159th St., in Oak Forest. In March 2019, Smith purchased two semi-automatic pistols from the range, and in April and September 2020, Smith purchased a total of four pistols, some of which were semi-automatic, the indictment states.

To make these purchases, Smith wrote false statements indicating she was the actual buyer, but the guns were really for another person, according to federal prosecutors.

According to the indictment, Smith has been charged with three counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. Smith's arraignment is set for Monday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim.

“Straw purchasers too often play a grave role in enabling the unlawful possession of guns and the violence that can follow,” said John R. Lausch Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of guns to individuals who cannot legally purchase them.”

“When firearms are purchased on behalf of those who are prohibited from possessing them, it poses immense danger to the community,” said Kristen DeTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to identify these straw purchasers.”

An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, by fair trial. Each count Smith is charged with is punishable with a maximum sentence of 10years in federal prison, account to the indictment.