Department of Justice

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Hanover, Maryland, man was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for making false statements in an attempt to acquire 11 firearms.

According to court documents, between December 2018 and July 2021, Rakeim T. Richardson, 27, knowingly made false statements with respect to the purchase of 11 firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees. On each Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form, Richardson falsely stated that he resided in Virginia when, in fact, he resided in Maryland and had done so since at least August 2018. Several firearms purchased by Richardson were recovered by law enforcement in connection with other crimes, including a robbery resulting in homicide.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is 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.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Smalky and Cristina Stam prosecuted 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 are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-284.