Cambria County Man Charged with Lying to Federal Firearms Dealer

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Sidman, Pa. was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The indictment named Jesse Edward Lester, 35, of Sidman, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, 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. The indictment alleges 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.

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 leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.