Woman facing federal gun charges

By Staff
Jason Cannon
A Russellville woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury, charging her with illegal gun trafficking.
Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and James M. Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms &Explosives said Melinda Ann Bennett, 28, of Russellville, was indicted for allegedly "(purchasing) approximately 21 firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in Lauderdale and Colbert County for other individuals who then transported the firearms to the State of New York."
Jacson White and Peggy Kratz, both of Florence, and Ginny Brown, of Cherokee, are also charged in the indictment, which also charges that between December 2006 and April 2007, the defendants conspired to make false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
Upon conviction on the conspiracy charge, the Defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
The remaining counts of the indictment charge certain defendants with the making of false statements to licensed firearm dealers in connection with the purchase of firearms.