Two Floyd County Men Indicted for Illegally Selling Firearms

For Immediate Release

LONDON, KY- Two men, Wayne Tackett, 64, of Harold, Ky., and Carlos Hall, 72, of Prestonsburg, Ky., were indicted on Thursday for one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Tackett was additionally indicted on six counts of transferring a firearm to prohibited persons.             

The indictment alleges that Tackett and Hall aided and abetted each other, not being licensed firearm dealers and engaged in the business of dealing firearms. On six separate occasions, from June 23, 2023 to October 6, 2023, Tackett allegedly knowingly sold 20 guns, varying from pistols to assault and multi-caliber rifles, to prohibited persons, who had been convicted of a felony.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the indictment.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ATF. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble.

A date for Tackett and Hall to appear in court is yet to be determined. They each face a maximum of five years in prison for the engaging in the business with firearms without a license, and a maximum of 15 years in prison for each of the other charges. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes. 

This case is being prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

            Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

                                                                                                          

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https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/two-floyd-county-men-indicted-illegally-selling-firearms