Des Moines Man Sentenced for Making False Statements During Purchase of Firearm

DES MOINES, IA — On July 22, 2011, William Lee Daniels, 40, of Des Moines, was sentenced to a term of two years probation for making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Daniels plead guilty on April 22, 2011, to count one of the Indictment in U.S. District Court in Des Moines, Iowa, before the Honorable Judge James E. Gritzner.

Daniels was charged with two separate criminal offenses: Making a False Statement to a Licensed Firearms Dealer, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both; and Causing False Information to be Placed in the Records of a Firearms Dealer, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

According to the indictment, Daniels falsely stated to Pawn & Gun Sales, a licensed firearms dealer, on October 6, 2010, that he was the actual transferee or buyer of a Jimenez pistol, model JA NINE, caliber 9 mm, and that he was not acquiring it on behalf of another. The Indictment further alleged that Daniels was purchasing the firearm for one Robert Sears.

This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, with the participation of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.