A federal raid at a northeast Spokane home Wednesday occurred after a retired police detective observed a known felon buying ammunition.

Donna R. Perry, alias Douglas Perry, 60, is in jail on a federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm after she was arrested at her home near North Crestline Street and East Empire Avenue.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating Perry after the detective contacted them March 12 and said he'd observed Perry buying ammo and a pistol magazine at the White Elephant store, 12614 E. Sprague Ave., in Spokane Valley, according to court documents.

The retired detective showed agents a photo of the receipt and a cell phone photo and video of Perry buying the items. Agents showed Matt Conley, manager of the store at 1730 N. Division St., a photo of Perry, and Conley said Perry had been buying black powder and black powder firearm components on a monthly basis for the past few years.

Store owner Pat Conley confirmed he was presented at the Valley store when Perry bought several rounds of .22 caliber and 9 mm ammunition. Pat Conley also said Perry had been a regular customer for years. A store employee said he frequently sees Perry at gun shows carrying a large bag.

Agents identified Perry in part through a photo the retired detective took of her blue 1992 Geo Metro.

They learned from the Washington Department of Licensing that the owner had changed his name from Douglas Perry to Donna Perry in 2000 and had changed his gender from male to female. Police compared a driver's license photo of Perry to the photo provided by the detective.

Perry has felony convictions for possession of an unregistered firearm (pipebombs) in 1988 and felon in possession of firearms and ammunition in 1995.

Perry is to appear in U.S. District Court tomorrow. She remains in the Spokane County Jail.
 

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