2 face federal charges after straw purchase of firearms

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Attentive pawn shop employees and Facebook posts helped police make arrests in a straw purchasing case.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrests of 30-year-old Frank Smith and 37-year-old Danielle Alford in the case.

According to federal court documents, Alford purchased a rifle and a shotgun from an Indianapolis pawn shop on June 3. After she bought the guns, a pawn shop employee overheard Smith say that he couldn’t wait to put stickers on his gun.

On an ATF form, Alford checked “yes” to the question “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form?”

Smith, with prior felony convictions for robbery, theft, battery and intimidation, is prohibited from owning a firearm.

Investigators also found Facebook posts, using fake names, showing the guns.

IMPD said an “AR style rifle,” a shotgun, two handguns and five pounds of synthetic marijuana were confiscated by officers.

Smith, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Alford is charged with unlawfully providing false information in connection with the purchase of a firearm.