Rapid City Man Sentenced for Making a False Statement during an Attempted Purchase of a Firearm

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rapid City man charged with False Statement During Attempted Purchase of a Firearm was sentenced on May 2, 2011, by United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. Easton L. Mercy, age 20, was sentenced to one year of probation and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Mercy was indicted for False Statement During Attempted Purchase of a Firearm by a federal grand jury on November 17, 2010. Mercy made a false and fictitious statement in that he had not been convicted of a felony, or any other crime, to Alpha Title and Pawn when attempting to purchase a pawned rifle from the business. Mercy's statement was made to deceive the pawn shop as to his criminal history and the unlawfulness of his acquiring said firearm. He pled guilty to the charge on March 14, 2011.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Ted L. McBride prosecuted the case.