BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted a Hartselle man for dealing in firearms without a license and transferring firearms to an out-of-state resident, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Glenn N. Anderson.

CRAIG ROWLAND NOWKA, 55, is charged in a two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court. According to Count One, Nowka dealt in firearms without a license from about March 2010 through Nov. 18, 2011. Count Two charges that Nowka sold a 5.56mm rifle and a 9mm pistol to an out-of-state resident in Lauderdale County on Oct. 23, 2011. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“This investigation and prosecution demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to stopping those who illegally sell firearms,” Vance said. “People who sell firearms as a business at trade days and gun shows should recognize that we are committed to preventing Alabama from being a source state for illegal guns, and they will be investigated and prosecuted.”

ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell E. Penfield is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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