Georgia Woman Pleads Guilty To Providing Local Gang Members With Illegal Guns

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Brittany Hutcherson, 28, of Lawrenceville, GA, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to transfer of firearms to an out of state resident. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that on April 22, 2016, the defendant, a Georgia resident, purchased four firearms from Deaton’s Gun Shop, Inc. in Loganville, Georgia. Between April 22 and July 17, 2016, Hutcherson gave two of the firearms to an individual living in New York State who was a member of the BFL/CBL gang. The defendant knew the individual was a member of the gang and knew it would be unlawful for that individual to possess a firearm in New York State.

On July 17, 2016, Cheektowaga Police Officers conducted a traffic stop of the car Larell Watkins was driving. In the trunk of that vehicle was one of the firearms purchased by Hutcherson on April 22, 2016. Watkins was subsequently convicted for his role in the criminal activities of the BFL/CBL Gang.

On July 29, 2016, another one of the firearms purchased by the defendant was recovered by Buffalo Police Officers from Maurice Rice, another convicted CBL/BFL gang member.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 23, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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