Kingston Woman Indicted For Unlawfully Acquiring A Firearm

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Kingston woman who was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2014, was arrested today for allegedly making false representations in connection with the acquisition of a firearm.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Lori Svab, age 49, made false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer in Luzerne County to acquire a firearm.  The indictment alleges that Svab obtained a .45 caliber pistol on February 8, 2014, and that she falsely represented that she was not purchasing the gun for another person.   

The charge stems from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Wilkes-Barre Police, and Kingston Police.

Svab appeared in court today in Scranton before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick. Svab was released on her own recognizance under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office.

Svab faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if she is convicted of the charge.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.