Nathan Lawrence, Straw Purchase, Pennsylvania 2016

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Table of Contents

Brooklyn Man Guilty in Straw Purchase Scam

A Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty in a federal court to conspiring with others to facilitate the straw purchase of at least 20 firearms from licensed stores in western Pennsylvania.

Nathan Lawrence, 33, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to a charge of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab in Pittsburgh.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Lawrence conspired with Michael Bassier and others to facilitate the straw purchase of firearms from federally licensed firearms stores. For each purchase, Lawrence and Bassier used a car that Lawrence rented, and Lawrence usually drove. The straw purchasers would state, at the time of purchase, that they were the actual buyers of the firearms, when in fact Bassier was the actual buyer.

Bassier provided money to the straw purchasers and told them what to buy, in Lawrence’s presence. Lawrence was also present when Bassier took possession of the firearms afterward.

Lawrence is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15, 2016, and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Lawrence remain detained. The case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.

The investigation leading to the second superseding indictment in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with detectives from the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Conor Lamb is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.