Rutland Woman Charged with Making False Statements to a Firearms Dealer

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Morgan Gates, 27, of Rutland, Vermont, was arrested yesterday after making false statements to a federal firearms dealer in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Gates is scheduled to make her first court appearance on July 5, 2022 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle.

According to documents in the case, including the criminal complaint charging Gates, on June 29, 2022, Gates attempted to purchase a firearm at a Rutland dealer with a federal firearms license (“the FFL”). The FFL had reason to believe that Gates was an active drug user, delayed her purchase, and contacted the Rutland Police Department. While law enforcement investigated the attempted purchase, Rutland Police detectives learned that Gates had successfully purchased a Glock Model 45 9x19mm handgun from a different FFL located in Rutland on June 29, 2022. In coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations, Rutland Police detectives located Gates and detained her. A search of Gates's residence in Rutland did not recover the Glock firearm but did result in the seizure of ammunition of multiple calibers and an empty box of 9x19mm ammunition. The Glock Model 45 9x19mm handgun purchased by Gates has not yet been recovered.

The U.S. Attorney's Office notes that the criminal complaint is an accusation only and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years of imprisonment on the current charge. Any sentence in the case will be advised by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest credited the Rutland Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations for its quick and collaborative work in addressing this illicit gun transaction. U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest added, “Federally licensed firearms dealers are the first line of defense in stopping unlawful firearms sales and ensuring only those who pass federal background checks are allowed to purchase firearms. FFLs who work closely with law enforcement play a vital role in keeping our communities safe.”

AUSA Jonathan Ophardt represents the government. Gates is represented by Katina Ready, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn for more information.