Superseding Indictment Adds Charges Against Alleged Leader Of Straw Purchasing Scheme

PHILADELPHIA – A superseding indictment was filed today against Nakia Adams, 41, address unknown, adding four counts of possession of firearms by a convicted felon and four counts of aiding and abetting the making of a false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer.  Adams was charged by indictment, unsealed in December of 2015, with conspiracy, making false statements to a federal firearms licensee, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and aiding and abetting.

According to the superseding indictment, Adams used several individuals as “straw purchasers” to obtain firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers. Adams, who is a convicted felon, is prohibited from purchasing firearms himself.  

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible statutory sentence of 135 years in prison, possible fines, a $2,000 special assessment, and three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reading Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Boden.

An Indictment or Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.