Gun Store Employee Pleads Guilty to Firearm Possession and Obstruction of Investigation

A Massachusetts man has acknowledged his illegal possession of a firearm along with obstructing a federal investigation into gun trafficking.

An 80-year-old man from Massachusetts has acknowledged his illegal possession of a firearm while employed at a Keene-based motorsports shop, along with obstructing a federal investigation into gun trafficking. Doug Mulligan entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Concord, where he faced charges as a prohibited individual in possession of a gun due to his prior felony conviction.

Mulligan's employment at American Trikes & Motorsports, a federally licensed firearms dealer located on Winchester Street in Keene, became the focus of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations. This government inquiry is centered around a gun trafficking network suspected of transporting firearms from New Hampshire into Canada. The investigation has involved cooperation with law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Mulligan had not only handled firearms in violation of federal law but had also tipped off suspects about the investigation. Court documents indicate he warned them by placing messages on their vehicles, alerting them that law enforcement was monitoring their activities.

Evidence presented in court included surveillance footage showing Mulligan taking possession of a firearm while at the shop, further implicating him in illegal activities associated with the business. Federal authorities have underscored the seriousness of maintaining compliance among licensed firearm dealers, emphasizing that violations can have significant public safety implications.

Mulligan is scheduled for sentencing on July 7, where he faces potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison and hefty fines that could reach $250,000. The Department of Justice has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting individuals who facilitate criminal access to firearms and disrupt public safety efforts.