Felon Gun Store Employee Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearm After Warning Targets of Investigation: “ATF is watching u.”

Felon Gun Store Employee Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearm After Warning Targets of Investigation: "ATF is watching u."

CONCORD - Massachusetts man Doug Mulligan, 80, pleaded guilty today in federal court to the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for July 7, 2026.

"Despite knowing that he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, the defendant chose to disregard federal law," said U.S. Attorney Creegan. "Even more troubling, he used his position at a licensed firearms business to tip off individuals about federal law enforcement activity, undermining an active investigation into transnational, illicit firearms trafficking. Our office will continue to prosecute those whose actions enable criminals' access to guns, and those who seek to interfere with law enforcement efforts to protect public safety."

"Doug Mulligan repeatedly disregarded warnings he was prohibited from possessing a firearm and therefore could not work in a gun store. Mulligan used his association with a federal firearm licensee to not only evade restrictions on his own possession of firearms, but to obstruct a federal investigation into other guns being trafficked to prohibited persons. This conduct undermines both public safety and the diligent, responsible work of countless law-abiding firearm licensees across the country who endeavor to play by the rules and keep guns out of the hands of criminals," said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Greco.

According to the court documents and statements made in court, a federal investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in coordination with Canadian law enforcement partners Sûreté du Québec, Ontario Provincial Police, and other U.S. law enforcement agencies, uncovered a transnational firearms trafficking operation responsible for smuggling dozens of weapons from New Hampshire into Canada.

As part of the investigation, Doug Mulligan, an employee of American Trikes & Motorsports, admitted that he warned suspected traffickers of federal law enforcement activity by leaving a note on their car stating "ATF is watching u." A subsequent federal search warrant and review of surveillance footage revealed that Mulligan also unlawfully possessed a firearm when he handled and purchased a firearm from a customer on behalf of American Trikes & Motorsports despite having a prior felony conviction.

The charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person provides a maximum prison term of 15 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and not more than 3 years of supervised release. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. The Keene Police Department and other law enforcement agencies provided valuable assistance. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasir Sadat prosecuted the case.