ALEXANDRIA, VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Virginia, Eastern), published as received.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Maryland man with felon in possession of firearms, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and making false statements to federal firearms licensees.

According to the indictment, between Dec. 3, 2017 and Jan. 6, 2018, Keith Haddock II, 26, and his co-conspirators straw purchased 27 firearms from various gun shows and gun stores using thousands of dollars of cash provided by Haddock. The straw purchasers immediately provided the firearms to Haddock. Several of the firearms have since been recovered by local law enforcement in Maryland at crime scenes or in the unlawful possession of others. Haddock was unable to purchase the firearms himself or possess the firearms because he was previously convicted of two felonies in Montgomery County, Maryland. 

Haddock is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, among other crimes, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Thomas L. Chittum, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas U. Murphy II and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Williamson are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-236.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.