Feds Bust Felon AK-47 Buyer In Racine County: Report

RACINE COUNTY, WI — A Racine County man who is also a convicted felon, has been charged after investigators say he tried to buy an AK-47 from a gun shop by having a friend buy it for him.

Brandon Armes, 26, Salem, has been charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Racine County, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms told the Racine County Sheriff's office that a woman was trying to buy the AK-47 .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle at Buisse Custom Arms in Union Grove.

Investigators said that the woman and Armes both traveled to the shop with the intention of buying the AK-47 on Feb. 9. The gun shop owner suspected the woman's attempt to buy the firearm was a "straw purchase."

Authorities say a "straw purchase" happens when the actual buyer uses another person to complete the sale for them.

According to the criminal complaint, the woman filed all the necessary paperwork at Buisse Custom Arms for a background check, only to have her background check "delayed." The woman and Armes were asked to return to the shop at a later date to complete the sale.

According to the criminal complaint, Armes and the woman were told that the gun was ready. The two of them and Armes's 18-month-old son returned to the gun shop during business hours on Feb. 20. When Armes handled the AK-47, investigators entered the gun shop and arrested him. Police also reported finding 2.4 grams of THC wax in his front pocket.

According to the complaint, when investigators questioned Armes, he admitted that he had a holstered firearm on him when he went to the gun shop on Feb. 9 in addition to handling about five firearms in the last year. He told police he had a Glock and a .380 that he was going to buy from his mother.

According to court records, Armes is banned from possessing a firearm after he was convicted in Kenosha County for possession of narcotic drugs in January 2017.

Image Via Racine County Jail