Doug Mulligan, an 80-year-old Massachusetts resident, pleaded guilty on Mar. 24 in federal court to possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, according to U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7.
The case highlights concerns about the illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons and the potential impact on public safety when law enforcement investigations are compromised.
Creegan said, “Despite knowing that he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, the defendant chose to disregard federal law. Even more troubling, he used his position at a licensed firearms business to tip off individuals about federal law enforcement activity, undermining an active investigation into transnational, illicit firearms trafficking. Our office will continue to prosecute those whose actions enable criminals’ access to guns, and those who seek to interfere with law enforcement efforts to protect public safety.”
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Greco said Mulligan repeatedly ignored warnings that he could not possess a firearm or work in a gun store due to his felony conviction. Greco said Mulligan “used his association with a federal firearm licensee to not only evade restrictions on his own possession of firearms, but to obstruct a federal investigation into other guns being trafficked to prohibited persons.” Greco added that such conduct undermines both public safety and the responsible work of lawful firearm licensees across the country.
Court documents show that an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with Canadian authorities Sûreté du Québec and Ontario Provincial Police among others, uncovered smuggling operations moving dozens of weapons from New Hampshire into Canada. As part of this probe, Mulligan admitted warning suspected traffickers by leaving them a note reading “ATF is watching u.” Surveillance footage also showed him unlawfully handling and purchasing a firearm while working at American Trikes & Motorsports despite his prior felony conviction.
Mulligan faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all charges related to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; fines could reach $250,000 with up to three years supervised release upon completion of any sentence imposed under relevant sentencing guidelines.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations led the case with support from Keene Police Department and other agencies. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasir Sadat prosecuted.
