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Date: 05-05-2023
Case Style:
Case Number: 3:22-cr-00079
Judge: Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (Scott County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Davenport
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Davenport, Iowa criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with making false statements during the purchase of firearms.
Miracle Star Vaughn, 27, purchased seven handguns from Scheels, in Coralville, over a period of 18 months. During the firearms purchases, Vaughn provided false information regarding her address and her drug use. One of the firearms Vaughn purchased was recovered in Chicago in the possession of Dimione Walker. Walker was a felon prohibited from possessing firearms, and also had a federal warrant for his arrest. One of the other guns Vaughn purchased was recovered in the possession of her significant other and co-defendant, Michael Haythorn, also a felon prohibited from possessing firearms.
At sentencing, the District Court found that when law enforcement confronted her, Vaughn continued to provide false statements. The District Court considered the danger to the community created by Vaughn’s conduct and noted that Vaughn’s lack of criminal history allowed her to purchase these firearms.
Haythorn pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon. His sentencing is currently scheduled for May 23, 2023.
“Straw purchasing is a serious crime that contributes to the epidemic of gun violence,” United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa said. “We will continue to partner with federal and local law enforcement to hold accountable those who illegally purchase firearms.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Iowa City Police Department.
PENALTIES FOR FIREARMS:18:924(a)(1)(A) - False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm
(1s)
Outcome: Defendant is sentenced to the custody of the BOP for a term of 12 months plus one day on Count 1s. Upon release, Defendant shall serve a supervised release term of 3 years. $100 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims' Fund Assessment.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: