Maryland Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Eric Malik Smith, also known as “Star,” 25, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced today to one year and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting false statements related to the purchase of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 1, 2022, Smith traveled with Timothy Lanier Allen III to a Barboursville, West Virginia, business where Smith instructed Allen to purchase a Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol on Smith’s behalf. Smith admitted that Allen falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473 that he was the purchaser of the firearm when he knew Smith was the actual buyer of the firearm. Smith then took possession of the firearm following the purchase and eventually took it back with him to Maryland. Additional documents and statements made in court showed that Allen purchased at least 4 additional firearms on behalf of Smith.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney L. Finney and Owen Reynolds prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-156.

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