Charles Tan Arraigned on Federal Firearms Charges

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Charles Tan, 22, of Pittsford, New York, was arraigned today in Federal Court in Syracuse, New York, on an indictment charging him with three felony firearms offenses, announced Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Monroe County (New York) Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn. The Indictment charges him with one count of Receiving a Firearm and Ammunition with Intent to Commit an Offense, and two counts of Making a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.  Tan was arrested yesterday at Lewiston, New York, as he crossed into the United States from Canada.

In court today, Tan entered a plea of “not guilty” and was ordered held without bail by United States Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday September 27, 2017 at 9:30 am in Syracuse. 

Tan faces maximum terms of imprisonment of 10 years on one count of Making a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm and one count of Receiving a Firearm and Ammunition with Intent to Commit an Offense. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years for a second charge of Making a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.  The defendant also faces a maximum fine of $250,000.00 on each count and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by ATF and the Monroe County, New York, Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.