Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty To Straw Purchase Of Two Pistols
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Pittsburgh, Penn., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of making false statements on a firearms application, also known as a "straw purchase," United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Asia Kamita Edge, 29, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 21, 2005, Edge purchased a .380 caliber KEL‑TEC semi‑automatic pistol and a .32 caliber KEL‑TEC semi-automatic pistol from Anthony Arms, a federally licensed firearms dealer in West Mifflin, Penn. One month later, on June 21, 2005, Edge's boyfriend was arrested with the .380 caliber KEL‑TEC, crack cocaine, $177.00, and three cell phones. On April 13, 2006, the father of Edge's child was arrested with the .32 caliber KEL‑TEC pistol. Both were prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior convictions. Edge later confessed to being a straw purchaser since she was buying the guns for others and not herself.
Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for Jan. 7, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Edge.
