Exeter Woman Admits to Lying on Firearm Purchase Form

PROVIDENCE – An Exeter woman today admitted to a federal court judge that she lied on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) form and a State of Rhode Island state application while attempting to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.

Nicole Marie Brassell, 41, admitted that in January 2018, she intentionally misrepresented that she lived at a West Warwick address when, in fact, she lived at a residence in Exeter. An ATF investigation determined that Brassell had been evicted from her West Warwick residence in August 2017. Provision of truthful and accurate information on gun acquisition papers, much of which is used in the background check process, is required.

Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Brassell pleaded guilty to false statement during purchase of firearms, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.

Brassell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2021.

False statement during purchase of firearms is punishable by statutory penalties of up to ten years in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

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