The U.S. Justice Department says a North Texas man has been arrested on federal gun trafficking charges. Federal investigators say Demontre Hackworth, 31, bought at least 92 guns and later re-sold many of them.
Of the 92 guns, the Justice Department says 75 were bought over just six months from a dealer in Waxahachie that later gave up its license.
The Justice Department says 16 guns were later used in homicides, aggravated assaults and drug trafficking cases in Texas, Maryland and Canada.
"Illegal firearms trafficking is not a victimless crime,” Jeff Boshek, Special Agent in Charge of ATF's Dallas Field Division, wrote in a statement. “There are real consequences when individuals illegally engage in the business of buying and selling firearms. ATF will continue to use all available resources to strategically target and identify illegal firearms sales, trafficking patterns, and sources of crime guns; and to interrupt the illegal flow of firearms to criminal gang members, felons, firearm traffickers, and all persons who are otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.”
ATF says Hackworth sold the guns without a federal license or conducting background checks. ATF says private gun sales without a background check are legal in Texas, but "federal law prohibits individuals engaging in the business of dealing in firearms – defined as repeatedly devoting time and attention to purchasing and reselling guns for pecuniary gain – from doing so without a license."
"The second amendment protects the rights of law-abiding citizens – but not prohibited persons, or those who arm them,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF Dallas, and the entire Department of Justice is working our level best to keep guns away from dangerous offenders before they can put finger to trigger."
Hackworth was indicted on June 7 on charges of dealing firearms without a license and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. The Justice Department says he was arrested Friday and made his first court appearance Monday. Hackworth could face up to 35 years in federal prison if convicted.
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