CEDAR RAPIDS – A woman who admitted buying multiple firearms for others, and lying on the acquisition forms, was sentenced today to two years in federal prison.
Myneisha Washington, age 26, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. In a plea agreement, Washington admitted that she purchased five handguns in late 2016. On the purchase forms, Washington indicated that she was the actual buyer of each firearm when, in fact, she was a straw purchaser for four of the firearms because she purchased them for others. Washington also lied about her address and her use of drugs. Evidence at today’s sentencing hearing showed that law enforcement has linked two of the guns purchased by Washington to multiple shootings in Waterloo.
Washington was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Washington was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Straw purchasers thwart the law to get guns into the hands of criminals,” said United States Attorney Peter Deegan. “This office is committed to enhancing public safety by bringing straw purchasers to justice.”
After the hearing, Washington was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service to serve her sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ravi T. Narayan and investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
