Winchester Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements During Acquisition of a Firearm

           CONCORD - Tyrone Morris-Janey, 30, of Winchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements during the acquisition of a firearm, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, ATF and Boston Police Department personnel recovered a Ruger model LCP, .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.  The BPD crime laboratory was able to recover the serial number and ATF traced the firearm to Morris Janey.  A further investigation revealed that from January 8, 2019, through July 31, 2019, Morris Janey purchased six firearms.  During the purchases of the firearms, Morris Janey claimed that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms which was not true. He later admitted that he purchased the firearms for another person.  In addition, during the purchase of three of the firearms, Morris Janey falsely claimed he lived at a New Hampshire address. 

            Morris-Janey is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2021.

            “Lying to obtain firearms is a federal crime,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Criminal actors often have others purchase guns for them because they cannot lawfully purchase the guns themselves.  In order to maintain public safety, we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against those who make false statements in order to buy guns.”

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

             This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Boston Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Walsh.

             The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is 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. 

     ###