U. S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming | US Attorney - Eastern District of Missouri
U. S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming | US Attorney - Eastern District of Missouri
A Missouri man has confessed to illegally obtaining firearms and defrauding investors out of $830,000. Dennis Latour, 41, admitted guilt on November 20 to charges including being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to purchase firearms for a felon, and multiple counts of wire fraud. His accomplice, Jennifer Keegan, 50, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to purchase firearms for a convicted felon.
The illegal activities began in February 2023 when Keegan and Latour started acquiring multiple guns. Keegan completed the necessary paperwork despite knowing that Latour was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal record. In one instance on February 24, 2023, Latour attempted unsuccessfully to buy a Barrett .50-caliber rifle online because of concerns about his criminal history. However, they managed to purchase rifles from retailers in St. Charles and Springfield, Missouri.
On September 26, 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a search at their residence in Des Peres, Missouri. The search revealed 27 firearms stored in a vault room and two pistols found in the bedroom.
Latour's fraudulent activities extended beyond illegal gun purchases. Beginning in June 2022, he misled investors by claiming successful investments in the cannabis industry. Two victims lost significant amounts—$718,271 and $112,340—under false pretenses that they could join his supposed investment success.
Latour is set for sentencing on March 12, 2025; Keegan will be sentenced on March 11. The charges against them carry severe penalties: up to 15 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 for firearm-related charges; wire fraud charges can lead up to 20 years imprisonment with similar fines.
The ATF led the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuting the case. This legal action is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by fostering community trust and focusing on strategic enforcement priorities.
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