Huge Phoenix Arizona “Straw Man” Gun Case Tossed Out Of Court

Attorney General Terry Goddard has always been a gun rights hater. It was no surprise when he indicted Phoenix gun store owner, George Iknadosian, of X-Caliber Guns on 21 counts ranging from fraud, to money laundering.

The root of the case involved the sale of some alleged 700 weapons Goddard’s office claimed found their way to a Mexican drug cartel. Apparently Arizona citizens who were lawfully entitled to purchase firearms and had no trouble passing the federal background check required of all gun purchasers and bought guns from this dealer.

The "Straw Man" gun buyers had apparently not revealed that their intent was to export the guns to others either unqualified to purchase or export the guns to Mexico.

All of the buyers involved had previously pled guilty to various charges in connection with this case.

Today Judge Robert Gottsfield issued rare directed Not Guilty verdicts before the case ever got to the jury. My long time lawyer friend and client Tom Baker representing Iknadosian simply made a routine rule 20 motion that ended the case on the spot. Judge Gottsfield is known as a fair but tough judge whose been on the Arizona bench for decades.

During the prosecutions presentation there was not a single case where it could be proven that the guns went to anyone unqualified to purchase firearms.

This case resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, firearms and explosives, Phoenix Police Department and the Mexican government.

As for Phoenix attorney Tom Baker, he’s been a great gun owner’s advocate and lawyer for a a long time. I’m proud to have worked with him and his late father and law partner, Wallace, J. “Wally” Baker, Jr. for many years.