CONCORD — The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Concord Thursday updated an investigation into a gun smuggling operation authorities say involved trafficking guns from the Keene area through a Native American Reservation in New York to Canada.
Several locals were among the 13 people charged in the case.
A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Thursday said the trafficking scheme started in July 2021 and continued through at least October 2024. Here’s how authorities say it worked:
Someone in the Keene or Dummerston, Vt., area would “straw” purchase a gun — meaning they were paid to purchase it for someone who couldn’t legally do so or who didn’t want their identity linked to the purchase.
Members of the Akwesasne reservation in northern New York allegedly bought those guns off the locals and smuggled them over the border.
Several of the guns were later found at crime scenes in Canada, including scenes of kidnapping and murder, the release said.
Locals charged in the case include Dustin Tuttle, 25, of Keene; Caleb Wilcott, 23, of Chesterfield; and Doug Mulligan, 80, of New Salem, Mass., who owns American Trikes & Motorsports in Keene. That store was one of the places people are accused of making the straw purchases.
Tuttle pleaded guilty Jan. 5 to conspiracy to commit straw purchasing of guns, conspiracy to traffic guns and sale of a gun in furtherance of a felony. He’s set to be sentenced July 16.
Wilcott pleaded guilty March 24 to making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a gun. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.
Mulligan pleaded guilty March 24 to felonious possession of a gun. His sentencing is set for July 6.
Keene police were among a host of law enforcement agencies involved in investigating the case.
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