INDIANAPOLIS—An Indianapolis woman faces federal firearms charges for allegedly making illegal gun purchases, some of which ended up being used in Chicago crimes.
Josh Minkler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced the indictment of 30-year-old Iva Patrick by a federal grand jury.
Specifically, Patrick is charged with providing false information in connection with a purchase of a firearm. In this case, it was 36 guns Patrick allegedly bought in the Indianapolis area over a two-month period this summer.
"If you choose to lie on the federal forms when purchasing a firearm, you must face the consequences," said Minkler. "Firearms purchased illegally, or for other people, are often purchased for no other reason but to commit crimes."
As Minkler explained it, Patrick was told to make the buys by her then boyfriend, Jeremy Evans—a convicted felon and the father of Patrick's three children. Evans' criminal record made it impossible to purchase the firearms himself. Patrick broke the law when she said the guns were for her. In fact, they were for Evans.
When investigators searched Evans' home, they found no guns. But not long after, nine guns traced back to Evans, were recovered in Chicago. One of them, Minkler said, was used in a Chicago murder. Others were used in a carjacking, drug deals and other shootings.
Evans already faces charges stemming from an August home invasion and robbery.
"This incident should make clear that those who knowingly put firearms in the hands of a prohibited person are also responsible for how the firearms are used," said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
If convicted, Iva Patrick faces up to ten-years in prison.
