U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota issued the following announcement on Sept. 26.
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal criminal complaint against SEQUANA CIGOLO, 38, and JASON LYNNDROTTI WINSTON, 48, for their roles in illegally supplying a firearm that was used in multiple shootings in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois. CIGOLO and WINSTON were arrested on September 25, 2019. They will make their initial appearances today at 2:00 pm before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, on September 18, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois, while walking to lunch, “Individual A,” was shot in the back with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol by “Individual B,” leaving her paralyzed. Chicago Police Department (CPD) Officers responded, collected evidence, and subsequently identified Individual B as the suspect. On September 21, 2019, CPD Officers located Individual B and attempted to take him into custody. Individual B shot a CPD Officer three times using a 9mm semi-automatic pistol before fleeing. Hours later, CPD Officers again located Individual B and while attempting to take him into custody, Individual B fired several shots. CPD Officers exchanged gunfire with Individual B, wounding him and subsequently taking him into custody.
According to allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, an urgent firearms trace by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) indicated that the 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was recovered during Individual B’s arrest, was purchased by CIGOLO on July 11, 2019, from Bill’s Gun Shop in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Law enforcement agents learned that CIGOLO’s brother was the victim of a shooting on July 28, 2019. A forensic comparison of the ballistic evidence from all three crime scenes (two in Chicago and one in Minneapolis) revealed that the firearm used in the Minneapolis shooting was the same 9mm semi-automatic pistol used in the Chicago shootings, and was the same firearm CIGOLO purchased on July 11, 2019.
According to allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, on September 24, 2019, during an interview with law enforcement, CIGOLO admitted to purchasing a firearm for her ex-boyfriend’s cousin, WINSTON, who had asked her to do so because he was a convicted felon and therefore could not legally purchase a firearm himself. CIGOLO admitted to lying on the ATF Form 4473, stating that she was purchasing the firearm for herself, when in fact she was not. After purchasing the 9mm semi-automatic pistol, CIGOLO gave the firearm to WINSTON, who paid her approximately $250.00. That same day, law enforcement interviewed WINSTON at his residence, where they found a pistol box and the original pistol safety lock for a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and a magazine loaded with 9mm rounds of ammunition. WINSTON admitted to transferring the 9mm semi-automatic pistol to the individual who was charged in Hennepin County with the July 28, 2019, shooting of CIGOLO’s brother.
“The Chicago Police Department works tirelessly on a daily basis to stem the flow of illegal firearms into the city. Prohibited persons and those who supply firearms to those individuals will be held accountable and brought to justice,” said Superintendent Eddie Johnson of the Chicago Police Department. “I would like to extend my gratitude to the special agents of the ATF Chicago and St. Paul Field Divisions and the officers of the Minneapolis Police Department who worked hand in hand with our officers over the course of this investigation.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF Chicago Field Division, the Chicago Police Department, the ATF St. Paul Field Division, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson.
Defendant Information:
SEQUANA CIGOLO, 38
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges:
- Making a false statement to acquire firearms (straw purchase of a firearm), 1 count
JASON LYNNDROTTI WINSTON, 48
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges:
- Making a false statement to acquire firearms (straw purchase of a firearm), 1 count
- Aiding and abetting felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count
Alerts Sign-up