(SMETHPORT, PA, October 19, 2023):  McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a 4th person has been charged with firearms violations in a conspiracy to provide firearms to convicted felons. 

Persons convicted of certain crimes are not permitted to possess a firearm. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Corey Murphy, working as a Task Force Officer for the US Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Task Force began an investigation following the seizure of a firearm in another area that was traced to a local store and having been purchased by a known female. 

The investigation led to the arrest of three persons to date – Christina Baker, Leshawn Kimbrough and Rodney Doran.  Baker waived her preliminary hearing and Kimbrough and Doran were held for court following a joint preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge William Todd on October 2, 2023.

Today, Trooper Murphy charged the wife of Leshawn Kimbrough with crimes related to her purchase of a firearm for him when he is not eligible to possess a firearm. The complaint charges Misty Kimbrough of Bolivar, NY, with conspiring with Leshawn Kimbrough on January 17, 2023 to purchase a firearm from McKean E-Sales located in Smethport, Pennsylvania.

When completing forms to purchase the firearm, Misty Kimbrough is alleged to have stated that the firearm was for herself when, in fact, it was for Leshawn Kimbrough.  Following her purchase of the firearm, Misty Kimbrough is alleged to have provided it to her husband. Video surveillance was obtained.

A “straw purchase” of a firearm occurs when a person who is permitted to purchase a firearm purchases a firearm for the purpose of providing it to a person who is not permitted to possess a firearm – such as a convicted felon. 

The penalties for a straw purchaser can include years of incarceration.  Misty Kimbrough was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set her bail at $30,000 percentage.  She was remanded to the McKean County Jail.  Leshawn Kimbrough, Rodney Doran and Christina Baker remain incarcerated.  She is scheduled to appear at central court.

Charges CONSPIRACY (18) 6105(A)(1) PERSONS NOT TO POSSESS A FIREARM TITLE 18 SECTION 6111C (UNAUTHORIZED SALE OR TRANSFER OF FIREARM) 6111 G(2) SELL OR TRANSFER OF FIREARM TO INELIGIBLE PERSON (FELONY 3) (18) 4903 B FALSE SWEARING (M3) TITLE 18 6111 G (4)(II) MATERIALLY FALSE WRITTEN STATEMENT (F3) Location MCKEAN COUNTY E-SALES 311 W. Main Street Smethport, PA 16749 Arrest Date Oct 19, 2023 Incident Type Weapons Violation

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/arrests/kimbrough-misty-marie-conspiracy-18-6105a1-persons-not-possess-firearm-and-4