ILLEGAL GUN PURCHASE RESULTS IN 18 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT
FOR PECKVILLE WOMAN

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Melissa Mushow, age 32, of Peckville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo to 18 months’ imprisonment for making false statements to a Federal gun dealer in connection with her purchase of a firearm.

United States Attorney Carlson stated that the case was initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation when it seized a loaded .380 caliber pistol and crack cocaine during the execution of a search warrant at the motel room of Jason Scala in Eynon, Pennsylvania. A trace of the firearm identified Melissa Mushow as the purchaser of the weapon.

The investigation further proved that Mushow was addicted to crack cocaine at the time she purchased the gun and that she bought it for Jason Scala, a drug trafficker. United States Attorney Carlson noted that under federal law, it is unlawful for illegal drug users to possess or purchase firearms. Moreover, United States Attorney Carlson stated that in purchasing a firearm from a licenced gun dealer, with limited exceptions, the actual buyer is required to complete certain paperwork to allow gun dealers to complete necessary background checks, to insure the lawfulness of the sale and to maintain appropriate records as to the disposition of the firearms. United States Attorney Carlson stated that Mushow violated these important gun laws in acting as a straw-party purchaser and lying to the gun dealer during the gun transaction.

In sentencing Mushow, who had previously pleaded guilty, United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo commented that the offense was very serious particularly because Mushow had reason to believe that Scala would possess the gun in connection with illegal drug trafficking. Scala was sentenced in April 2008, to eight years’ imprisonment for drug trafficking.
United States Attorney Carlson noted that parole has been abolished, and Mushow will be required to serve at least 85% of her 18-month sentence, assuming she receives full time off for good behavior while incarcerated. In addition to the 18-month sentence of imprisonment, Judge Caputo further ordered Mushow to be supervised by a Probation Officer for two years after serving her jail term.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

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