Winchester Woman Accused of Making False Statements while Purchasing Firearm

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Brita Lanette Jackson, 51, of Winchester, Va., was arrested today accused of making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James Newman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Jackson’s initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis.

Jackson was arrested based on a criminal complaint and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, if convicted.

According to court documents and court proceedings today, Jackson is alleged to have attempted to purchase a 7.62 x 39mm firearm from a licensed dealer in Manassas, Va., on May 24, 2012. To purchase the firearm, Jackson indicated on official paperwork that she was the actual buyer of the firearm; however, Jackson allegedly intended to transfer the firearm to a male with multiple felony convictions. Court records allege that Jackson previously purchased between 15 and 20 firearms since January 2012 on behalf of the convicted felon.

The investigation was conducted by ATF’s Washington Field Division. Assistant United States Attorney Adam B. Schwartz is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.