New York Felon Sentenced for Coercing Others to Purchase Firearms for Him

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Jamestown, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months in jail on his conviction of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Michael Deniro Hackett, 43.

According to information presented to the court, from March 9, 2020, to July 21, 2020, Hackett and two co-defendants conspired to violate federal straw purchase laws. The two co-defendants acquired firearms for Hackett who was prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior criminal convictions.

During the sentencing, the attorney for the United States described how Hackett had recruited, coerced, and intimidated straw purchasers without prior criminal histories to purchase firearms on behalf of Hackett. Judge Cercone, in sentencing Hackett, highlighted the role that the straw purchase of firearms has played in the rising instances of gun violence in the area.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Pennsylvania State Police, Conewango Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hackett.