ST. LOUIS — A convicted felon has pleaded guilty to illegally acquiring dozens of firearms and defrauding two investors out of more than $830,000, federal prosecutors announced.
Dennis Latour, 41, pleaded guilty on November 20 to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to purchase firearms for a felon, and 13 counts of wire fraud. His co-defendant, Jennifer Keegan, 50, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of conspiracy to purchase firearms for a felon.
Prosecutors said that beginning in February 2023, Keegan purchased multiple firearms for Latour, who was prohibited from owning guns due to his criminal history. Keegan repeatedly filled out federal purchase forms falsely stating she was the intended owner of the weapons. Over several months, she acquired firearms from stores in Missouri, including a Barrett .50-caliber rifle, pistols, shotguns, and other rifles, some of which were found during a September 2023 ATF search of their Des Peres home. Agents seized 27 firearms from a “vault” room and additional pistols from the couple’s bedroom.
Latour also admitted to a scheme beginning in June 2022 in which he defrauded two investors by falsely claiming success in the cannabis industry. He promised the victims they could “piggyback” on his investments, using their funds instead to purchase guns, vehicles, and luxury items. One victim lost over $718,000, and the other more than $112,000.
Latour faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and up to 15 years for each firearm-related charge. Keegan faces up to 15 years for the conspiracy charge. Sentencing is scheduled for March 11 and March 12, 2025, respectively.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce gun violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.