Clinton Woman Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison Under Project Guardian for Attempting to Illegally Purchase a Firearm

Jackson, Miss. –  Yolunda Shaunderes Walker, 36, of Clinton, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom Lee to 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for attempting to purchase a firearm by making false statements on a federal background check form, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Walker was also ordered to pay a $1500 fine.

On June 6, 2019, Walker attempted to purchase a 9mm pistol from a pawn shop in Jackson by completing ATF Form 4473, a federal background check form required for all firearms purchases from firearms dealers.  On the form, Walker falsely stated that she was not a habitual user of controlled substances.  In, 2017, Walker was charged with possession of marijuana after calling the Clinton Police Department to report that she was holding burglars at gunpoint in her home.  Officers investigated and determined there were no burglars in the home and no evidence that a burglary had taken place. The officers found marijuana and a firearm in the home. There were also bullet holes inside the home where it was apparent that Walker had discharged her firearm several times inside the residence.   Walker was interviewed by an officer and admitted that she smoke marijuana almost daily.  As a habitual user of controlled substances, Walker is legally prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

Walker pled guilty before Judge Lee on September 12, 2019 to making false statements on a federal background check form.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please click here.