Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Trevell Walker, 23, of Kentwood, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for illegally purchasing and trafficking at least six firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Jonker also imposed three years of supervised release following his term of incarceration.

 “Straw purchasing and gun trafficking drive a dangerous black market for firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “These crimes feed the violence that plague communities across Michigan. My office will hold straw purchasers and illegal gun traffickers accountable for creating these supply lines of violence.”

Walker ran an illegal gun trafficking business, charging customers $20 to $50 per firearm to lie on the purchase forms, saying he was buying the guns for himself when he was really purchasing them for other people. This tactic is sometimes referred to as “straw purchasing.” Walker knew that his customers, who were convicted felons, were prohibited from buying guns for themselves. Walker capitalized on his lack of criminal history and ability to purchase guns by purchasing guns in his name and then selling those firearms to prohibited persons for a profit.

“There are serious consequences that come from illegally purchasing firearms for prohibited individuals. Holding Trevell Walker accountable for his criminal conduct is paramount in ensuring public safety in the community,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “The women and men of ATF work side by side with our U.S. Attorneys and federal, state and local law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metro Pattern Crime Team, consisting of detectives from the Kentwood Police Department, Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyoming Police Department, as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutors’ offices and federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement.

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