News and Press Releases
Minneapolis man indicted for lying and buying firearms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed yesterday charges a 31-year-old
Minneapolis man with providing false information on applications required for purchasing
firearms. The indictment, which was filed on April 17, 2012, charges Ryan Thomas Sandoval
with seven counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The indictment
was unsealed following Sandoval’s initial appearance in federal court.
The indictment alleges that on seven occasions between May 5 and August 8, 2011,
Sandoval made a false and fictitious written statement to a licensed dealer when purchasing a
firearm. Sandoval was allegedly buying the guns for other people but stated they were for him.
The weapons purchased included four nine-millimeter pistols and three Glock .40-caliber
pistols.
If convicted, Sandoval faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison on each of
the seven counts. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives and law enforcement officers from the Minneapolis Police
Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.
An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
