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Press Release

Two Wisconsin Individuals Charged In Firearms Straw Purchasing Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota

United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced a federal indictment charging MICHAEL PATRICK COUPE, 27, and JAMIE FLEMING, 30, in a firearms purchasing conspiracy. COUPE is charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, FLEMING is charged with one count of conspiracy. Both defendants made an initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the indictment, between September 13, 2017, and September 16, 2017, FLEMING purchased five separate firearms, including a Mossberg Tactical 22 .22 caliber rifle, a SCCY model CPX-2, 9mm pistol, a Phoenix model HP22A .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus model PT111 9mm pistol, and a Taurus model PT140 .40 caliber pistol. When purchasing the firearms, FLEMING falsely attested on the required ATF Forms 4473 that she was the actual purchaser of the firearms, when in fact she was not. FLEMING purchased the firearms at the direction of COUPE, who has two prior felony convictions in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

According to the indictment, following the purchase of the firearms, COUPE and FLEMING transferred some or all of the firearms to others, including an individual identified as G.T., who is a convicted felon. On multiple occasions between September 14, 2017, and November 27, 2017, COUPE and FLEMING traveled from Hayward, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota where they met with G.T. and transferred firearms to G.T.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen is prosecuting this case.

 

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL PATRICK COUPE, 27

Hayward, Wis.

Charged:

  • Conspiracy – Felon in possession of firearms, 1 count
  • Felon in possession of a firearm, 4 counts

 
JAMIE FLEMING, 30
Hayward, Wis.

Charged:

  • Conspiracy – Felon in possession of firearms, 1 count

 
 
 
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated March 22, 2018
Topics
Firearms Offenses
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Component
USAO - Minnesota