Philadelphia Man Charged With Straw Purchasing Guns

PHILADELPHIA – Robert Alton Stukes, 22, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by indictment with three counts of making false statements to a firearms dealer, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the indictment, on three separate occasions - January 15, 2014, January 17, 2014, and March 7, 2014 - Stukes straw purchased guns from Delaware Valley Sports Center, Inc., located at 101 Geiger Road in Philadelphia, PA.

The indictment alleges that Stukes bought a rifle and three handguns for Anthony Andrews, charged elsewhere, who was a convicted felon, having been convicted in a court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

If convicted of all counts, Stukes faces a possible advisory sentencing guideline range of at least 21 months in prison, with a maximum statutory sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a $400 special assessment, and three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose Arteaga.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.