Three people have been charged in an alleged “straw” purchase of firearms.
According to reports, three people, Leshawn Thomas Kimbrough, Christina Baker and Rodney Doran are all facing charges following a straw purchase scheme of firearms from McKean County E-Sales in Smethport. An investigation into the three was begun when a firearm was recovered following an incident in Buffalo and linked back to Baker. After looking into the purchase of the weapon, it was found that between August 2021 and January 2023 Baker had purchased 18 firearms for Kimbrough and Doran. When asked by ATF about her purchases, Baker told the agent that she wasn’t aware that they weren’t able to own guns. She advised that the men would pick her up and take her to purchase the guns with them being in control of the money. Doran and Kimbrough would then give her hints on which firearms they would like her to purchase. When the transaction was being completed, the men would either give her the money or place it on the counter for her to give to the clerk. She would then take the guns to the car and leave them in the back seat when she left. Surveillance footage from McKean County E-Sales confirmed her story.
Kimbrough is being charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm prohibited, possession of a firearm prohibited, and conspiracy at firearm ownership. Baker is facing charges of conspiracy to possess a firearm prohibited, firearm ownership-duty of other persons, sale or transfer or a firearm-unqualified, false statement on a sale or transfer or a firearm and sale or transfer of a firearm-unqualified or ineligible. Doran is charged with Conspiracy to possess a firearm prohibited and possession of a firearm prohibited and conspiracy at firearm ownership-duty of persons. As of Thursday Baker and Doran have not been arraigned. Kimbrough was arraigned and remanded to McKean County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail with a preliminary hearing for October 2nd.