Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms

          CONCORD - Daniel Sullivan, 35, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing firearms, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2015 and 2016, Sullivan purchased and traded several firearms in New Hampshire with the help of his partner, Sara Johnson.    At the time of these transactions, Sullivan was a convicted felon who could not legally possess firearms.  In several instances, Sullivan contacted private individuals who had posted firearms for sale online, then utilized Johnson – who was not a convicted felon – to assist in the purchase of the firearms.  Once these firearms transactions came to the attention of law enforcement, federal agents obtained a search warrant for Sullivan and Johnson’s residence, which resulted in the seizure of a .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.

          Sullivan is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2018.

          Johnson pleaded guilty to firearms charges on February 15, 2018.  She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2018.

          “Violent crime threatens the safety of our citizens and the fabric of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Protecting the residents of the Granite State from violence and gun-related crimes is one of the highest priorities of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Through the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, we work with our law enforcement partners each day to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and reduce the risk of violence.”

          “Firearms trafficking continues to be a top priority for ATF and our law enforcement partners and we are committed to identifying and disrupting the sources of illegal firearms which jeopardize the safety of our communities,”  said Special Agent in Charge Mickey  Leadingham of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

          This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Kelbley.           

          The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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