Convicted
Felon Faces up to 10 Years in Prison for Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy
A convicted felon who trafficked in
multiple high powered firearms pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in
Seattle to conspiracy to unlawfully deal in firearms and being a felon in
possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Joshua
Dawson, 20, is one of six Seattle-area men-indicted in April 2012 following a
firearms trafficking investigation. The men sold guns to a person working with
law enforcement in the Renton, Washington area. Under the terms of the plea
agreement, both sides will recommend a prison sentence between five and eight
years in prison. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones is free to impose any
sentence up to the 10 year maximum at sentencing on September 28, 2012.
Dawson was indicted following an
undercover investigation involving the Seattle Police Department Gang Unit; the
FBI; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). In his
plea agreement, Dawson admits to selling eight guns between January and March
2012: a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver; a Mac 11 9mm pistol; an SKS 7.62
assault rifle; a Romarm/Cugir 7.62 x 39mm caliber rifle; a DPMS .223/5.56mm
caliber rifle; an Olympic Arms multi-rifle with a silencer; a Weatherby 7mm
caliber rifle; and a Maadi 7.62 x 39mm caliber rifle. In all in this operation,
25 guns were taken off the street, many of which were previously reported stolen.
Five other individuals are being prosecuted as part of the case: Andre M.
Conerly, 25, James L. Henderson, 22; Daunte R. Williams, 29; Alexander J.
Olivio-Altheimer, 21, all of Seattle; and Djuan O. Gardner, 28, of Federal Way,
Washington. Four of the defendants, including Dawson, are charged with being a
felon in possession of firearms. Dawson has prior convictions for robbery and
theft.
In the statement of facts in the plea
agreement, Dawson admits that when officers went to arrest him on April 17,
2012, he fled in his car, crashing into multiple other vehicles. When he was
taken into custody, officers located a loaded Kel-Tec model PF-9 9mm pistol in
the glove compartment of his car.
The case was jointly investigated by the
FBI, the Seattle Police Department Gang Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Brown.
For additional information please
contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s
Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.
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