GEORGE E. B. HOLDING

CONTACT: 919/856-4530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - MAY 9, 2007

MAN ARRESTED FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION
DURING FIREARM PURCHASE

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that on May 7, 2007, a complaint was filed by the United States Attorney’s office on BARRY LEWIS, 32, of Cary, North Carolina for giving false statements as to the acquisition of a firearm from a federal firearms licensee.

On May 2, 2007, LEWIS attempted to purchase a semi-automatic shotgun, a Remington 1100, from a jewelry and pawn shop located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The manager of the shop gave LEWIS the Firearms Transaction Record to complete for the purchase of the firearm. LEWIS declared on the form that he had not been adjudicated mentally defective nor had he been committed to a mental institution. Due to suspect behavior, the manager of the shop declined the sale of the weapon. The manager contacted the federal law enforcement agency and an investigation was begun. A review of documents and records obtained from a Federal Court Order revealed that LEWIS had indeed given a false statement. LEWIS was arrested and is undergoing Court Ordered psychiatric evaluation.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney James Candelmo is overseeing the case.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.