BANGOR, Maine — A Lewiston man was sentenced in a Bangor courtroom Tuesday for his role in an illegal straw-purchasing conspiracy, as well as for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
A U.S. district judge sentenced 26-year-old Abdullahi Issak to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine said in a news release.
Issak initially pleaded guilty on April 13, 2023, according to the release.
Court records show Issak conspired to have 36 firearms straw purchased for him between December 2021 and July 2022 through federal firearms dealers in central and southern Maine, the release stated.
"Issak directed the purchasers where to buy the firearms, what firearms to buy, and provided them cash or drugs in return for engaging in the illegal transactions," the release said. "Issak took possession of the firearms from the straw purchasers following each sale. He was also sentenced for knowingly possessing one of the firearms which was purchased for him at a federal firearms dealer in Jay."
According to the release. Issak was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a felony conviction in New York in 2019.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
