Winnebago County man sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for conspiring to straw purchase firearms (DOJ)

ROCKFORD - A Winnebago County man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiring to straw purchase five firearms.

From 2022 to 2024, MATTHEW S. MEYERS conspired to make false or fictious written statements to licensed firearms dealers in connection with the acquisition of five firearms. Meyers instructed another individual to straw purchase firearms on his behalf, knowing that the other individual would falsely certify on federal forms that they were the actual buyer. Meyers then sold or transferred some of the straw-purchased firearms to others.

Meyers, 41, of Machesney Park, Ill., pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy to provide false and fictitious written statements to federally licensed dealers of firearms. On July 31, 2026, U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston imposed a 60-month prison sentence during a hearing in federal court in Rockford.

The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Winnebago County, Ill. Sheriff's Office provided valuable assistance. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim.