North Country Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gun Purchase

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Donald J. Shappy, Jr., age 57, of Keeseville, New York, pled guilty today to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Delano A. Reid, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) New York Field Division, and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.

Shappy admitted that on March 7, 2016, he falsely certified that he was the true purchaser of a Henry Repeating Arms .22 caliber rifle when he then knew that he was purchasing the firearm for his nephew, Jonathon Shappy, who had been denied the ability to purchase the same rifle two days earlier.

Jonathan Shappy is charged with aiding and abetting his uncle’s false statements.  He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

As a result of his conviction, Donald Shappy faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino on December 1, 2016.  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.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.