State College Man Indicted For Firearms Violation

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a State College man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Williamsport for the prohibited possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment alleges that Dennis E. Lowe sold a military-style rifle and several hundred rounds of ammunition in March 2016, despite being a person prohibited under Federal law from engaging in such activity based on a 2014 conviction for illegally possessing firearms.  Lowe is also alleged to have possessed, sold and offered for sale additional handguns since July 2015.  According to the indictment, the firearms include:

• a Colt handgun;

• a Smith & Wesson handgun;

• a 1911 Colt handgun;

• a 1911 cold .45 caliber handgun;

• two Colt 1903 .32 caliber handguns;

• a 12 gauge shotgun;

• two .22 caliber revolvers;

• a .32 caliber British revolver;

• an M-1 Garand rifle;

• and approximately 650 rounds of ammunition.

The government is also seeking forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur.

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 guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is from 10 years, a term of 3 years supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 dollar fine. 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.

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