Cambria County Man Lied on Federal Firearms Purchase Form Claiming He was Buying it for Himself

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Cambria County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jesse Edward Lester, 36, of Sidman, Pa., pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on Sept. 10, 2016, in connection with the purchase of a firearm, Lester knowingly made a false statement in an effort to deceive Sporting Goods Discounters, a federally licensed firearms dealer. Lester represented to Sporting Goods Discounters that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, when, in fact, he was purchasing the firearm on behalf of someone else.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 23, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lester.