Audubon County Woman Sentenced to Federal Felony Charge after Straw Purchasing Firearm for Her Felon Boyfriend

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – An Exira, Iowa woman was sentenced on October 10, 2024 for a federal felony charge of straw purchasing a firearm.

According to public court documents, Leslie Nicole Moton, also known as Leslie Caniglia, 24, purchased a firearm in August 2023 for her significant other, Rey Moton, 23, of Elk Horn. Leslie Moton knew Rey Moton was a felon at the time she purchased the handgun for him and falsely represented at the time of the purchase that she was acquiring the firearm for herself. Less than a week later, Rey Moton possessed the handgun in Atlantic, Iowa and used it during a burglary.

Rey Moton was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. In March 2024, Rey Moton was sentenced to a 63-month prison term, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

Leslie Moton received a five-year term of probation.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Atlantic Police Department.

This case was 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.