ARIZONA NEWS

3 plead guilty to providing guns for alleged shooter of Phoenix officer Tyler Moldovan

Jun 14, 2023, 4:25 AM | Updated: 7:00 am

Officer Tyler Moldovan (Phoenix Police Department Photo), left, and Essa Williams (Maricopa County ...

Officer Tyler Moldovan (Phoenix Police Department Photo), left, and Essa Williams (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)

(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)

PHOENIX — Three people pleaded guilty recently to illegally providing guns to the alleged shooter of Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan, authorities said Tuesday.

The guns in the three cases aren’t connected to the shooting of Moldovan, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Essa Williams has been charged in the Dec. 14, 2021 shooting, and his trial on multiple counts is set to begin in October. He could not legally possess a firearm because he had previously been convicted of numerous felonies.

The suspect’s mother, 51-year-old Erika LaRae Williams, pleaded guilty May 22 to making a material false statement during the purchase of a Taurus G3 pistol from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in September 2020, five months after Essa Williams was released from prison.

Erika Williams told the dealer she was the actual purchaser of the gun. However, she knew she was buying it on behalf of her son, according to prosecutors. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 31.

Dwayne Keith Anderson, 51, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty May 24 to one count of aiding and abetting the making of a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Anderson, who was an FFL, met Essa Williams at a gun show and told him he could help him avoid a background check, prosecutors said.

Williams texted Anderson a woman’s information, including her photo ID. Anderson filled out the firearms transaction record with her information, including her signature.  He then sold Williams a Masterpiece Arms Defender 9mm pistol.

Authorities said Anderson completed the form using the false information knowing Williams had not provided his true identification.

Anderson saw Williams once after the purchase when he came to his house in a black Dodge Charger to pick up the gun.

In December 2021, with a warrant, detectives searched the Charger after Moldovan was shot. During the search, the gun purchased from Anderson was found in the back seat floorboard.

Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 7.

The third person, Essa Williams’s girlfriend, 24-year-old Alice Berdicchia, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty last week to misprision (concealment) of a felony.

In November 2021, Berdicchia agreed to bring Williams a Glock 9mm pistol. She was aware of his previous convictions and knew he could not legally possess a firearm, prosecutors said.

Authorities said she deliberately helped him illegally possess the gun and conceal that crime. Her sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 14.

If convicted, Erika Williams faces up to 10 years in prison with a fine of up to $250,000, while Anderson and Berdicchia each face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

This rendering shows what the Mesa Grandview Business Park will look like upon completion. (Photo v...

Serena O'Sullivan

Construction starts on 270,000-square-foot industrial development in Mesa’s Falcon District

Several companies related to the Mesa Grandview Business Park gathered with city officials for the groundbreaking of the industrial development.

8 hours ago

CarMax, the nation’s largest used vehicle seller, is hiring after announcing a new reconditioning...

David Veenstra

CarMax hiring for new West Valley reconditioning and auction center

CarMax, the nation’s largest used vehicle seller, is hiring after announcing a new reconditioning and auction center in the West Valley on Thursday.

10 hours ago

Emergency air medical base opens at Abrazo West Campus Goodyear...

Serena O'Sullivan

New emergency helicopter base opens at West Valley hospital

A new emergency air medical base in Goodyear will expand the presence of life-saving care provider Air Methods, the company said on Wednesday.

11 hours ago

DOGE access lawsuit...

KTAR.com

Arizona to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data

Arizona is about 12 states that plan to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data

12 hours ago

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called for increased state firefighter pay on Thursday during an event to ...

Kevin Stone

Arizona governor calls for pay raise for firefighters while honoring those who battled LA wildfires

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called for increased state firefighter pay while honoring the task force members who helped battle the Los Angeles wildfires.

15 hours ago

free wigs...

Kevin Stone

Arizona cancer support group opening free wig salon in Phoenix

An Arizona cancer support organization is launching an initiative to provide patients and survivors experiencing hair loss with free wigs.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

3 plead guilty to providing guns for alleged shooter of Phoenix officer Tyler Moldovan