Johnstown Woman Admits Gun Straw Purchase Scheme

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Kimberly G. Yarnavick, 47, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has confessed to a cold calculation: lying to federal firearms dealers to put guns in the hands of someone else. The admission came in federal court today, a small victory in a city grappling with the fallout from illegal firearms.

Yarnavick pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson to three counts of making false statements. The scheme unfolded over a seven-month period, beginning July 15, 2009, with the purchase of a Hi Point pistol. She repeated the deception on February 5, 2010, securing a Phoenix pistol, and again on March 3, 2010, with an American Arms pistol. Each time, she swore to Sporting Goods Discounters she was the true buyer, a blatant lie designed to bypass federal regulations.

The prosecution, led by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., revealed that Yarnavick knowingly misrepresented herself to facilitate the illegal transfer of weapons. This isn’t about a simple paperwork error; it’s a deliberate attempt to circumvent the law, feeding the black market and potentially putting lives at risk. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Johnstown Police Department spearheaded the investigation that brought Yarnavick to justice.

The feds aren’t letting this slide. Judge Gibson has set sentencing for August 1, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. Yarnavick faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years behind bars, a hefty $750,000 fine, or both. While sentencing guidelines will consider her criminal history (if any) and the severity of the offenses, this case sends a clear message: straw purchasing will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

For now, Yarnavick remains free on bond, awaiting her fate. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative aimed at curbing gun violence through collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local agencies. It’s a band-aid on a bullet wound, perhaps, but every conviction, every gun taken off the street, is a step in the right direction.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton emphasized that Yarnavick’s prosecution is a crucial component of broader efforts to dismantle illegal gun trafficking networks. While the details of who Yarnavick was supplying remain sealed, investigators are undoubtedly exploring those connections. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.