Baltimore, Maryland – In a sweeping crackdown on gun violence, a federal court has sentenced Daniel P. Welch, 36, of Crumpton and Chestertown, Maryland, to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for obtaining guns through straw purchases and theft.
Welch, a previously convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal record, yet he managed to obtain six guns through straw purchases and theft, with the help of his co-defendant, Jonathan Sutton. Welch and Sutton have known each other since they were small children.
According to his guilty pleas, Welch and Sutton visited four ATMs in Stevensville, Maryland, withdrawing approximately $1,700 in cash before purchasing firearms for Welch. Sutton purchased a Smith & Wesson MP5-22, a Mossberg Persuada 500, and a Century Arms SKS, among other guns, for Welch, who was prohibited from owning them.
On May 17, 2013, Welch broke into a neighbor’s home and stole an express pump action 20 gauge shotgun with a 21 inch barrel and other items. The officers with the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Welch’s residence in Crumpton, recovering items Welch had stolen from the neighbor, including the shotgun. Welch had sawed off a portion of the barrel and removed the serial number.
Welch’s sentence was announced by United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, who praised the FBI, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Chestertown Police Department, and the Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary A. Myers is prosecuting the case.
Welch’s co-defendant, Jonathan Sutton, pleaded guilty to conspiring to unlawfully obtain firearms for a prohibited person and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. The case highlights the importance of adhering to gun laws and preventing felons from obtaining firearms.
U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, "It is illegal to help a criminal get a gun." The sentence serves as a warning to those who engage in similar activities and underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to fight gun violence.
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
