(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A 28-year-old Chicago woman who allegedly bought several handguns for someone else now faces federal charges.
In 2019 and 2020, Diamond Smith bought seven pistols in her own name and falsely certified the guns were for her, federal prosecutors said Monday. In actuality, Smith bought the guns for another individual — something known as being a “straw purchaser” — prosecutors said.
Smith faces three counts of making false statements in the course of the purchases and was expected to appear in federal court Monday. She could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge, if convicted.
Smith allegedly brought the weapons from a licensed dealer, Eagle Gun Club in Oak Forest, according to the indictment.
The indictment doesn't name the individual for whom Diamond allegedly purchased the guns, or if they were used in the commission of crimes.
“Straw purchasers too often play a grave role in enabling the unlawful possession of guns and the violence that can follow,” Chicago-based U.S. Attorney John Lausch said in a statement.
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