CONCORD – Christopher T. Brown, 39, of Dover, New Hampshire, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of four firearms and ammunition, all acquired through a straw purchaser. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.
Brown, who pleaded guilty on February 7, 2024, to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. His straw purchaser, who had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, was sentenced on October 25, 2023.
“The defendant used a straw purchaser to unlawfully acquire and possess multiple firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “Individuals prohibited from obtaining firearms cannot use straw purchasers to circumvent federal law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners will investigate these crimes and bring both the prohibited individuals and the straw purchasers to justice.”
ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson emphasized the impact of such possessions on community safety, stating, “Firearms possessed by convicted felons often lead to an increase of violent crime within our communities. The sentence imposed yesterday sends a clear message that convicted felons who possess firearms will be held accountable.”
The investigation began on January 9, 2023, when the defendant’s wife called emergency services after an argument involving a gun. Dover police officers found four firearms, including two pistols, a .40 caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, in their son’s bedroom. Ammunition was also recovered.
Brown later admitted ownership of the firearms and his knowledge that he could not legally possess them as a felon. He confessed to using a straw purchaser for three of the guns and asked her to file a false police report claiming the firearms were stolen. The ATF led the investigation, with valuable assistance from the Dover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Charlestown Gun King Gets 37 Months: Straw Purchaser Nabbed in Big Firearm Ring · Massachusetts
- Dover Felon Gets 57 Months for Illegal Gun Stash · New Hampshire
- Bay State Gun Builder Gets 70-Month Sentence · Massachusetts
- Epsom Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gun Possession · New Hampshire
- Dover Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Ammunition Possession · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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