One of Six Indicted in Gun Trafficking Investigation Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gun Possession
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.