Joshua Michael Lehman, False Statements in Firearm Purchase, Missouri 2018

Jefferson City Man Convicted of False Statements in Firearm Purchase

Josha Michael Lehman, 35, was found guilty of two counts of making false statements in a federal record provided to a licensed firearms dealer. Lehman attempted to purchase a Ruger 9mm pistol at Bob’s Guns on Dec. 29, 2017, and attempted to purchase a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun at Dunham’s Sports on Feb. 15, 2018.

In each instance, Lehman claimed, in a federal firearms transaction record, that he had not been adjudicated to be mentally defective and committed to a mental institution, which he knew was false. Both purchases were denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) because Lehman had been civilly committed as mentally defective.

On March 20, 2018, Lehman’s mother (through an attorney) contacted the Cole County Sheriff’s Department because she believed her son was a danger to others and had been attempting to purchase a firearm. Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for approximately 40 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts.

Lehman is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Maness.

It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department. Project Guardian This case is part of Project Guardian, the Attorney General’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the past successful programs to reduce gun violence.

It enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. It improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons.

It ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Defendant: Joshua Michael Lehman, 35, Real full name or legal entity name: Joshua Michael Lehman Exact criminal charges: Two counts of making false statements in a federal record provided to a licensed firearms dealer City and state: Jefferson City, Missouri EXACT DATE: December 9, 2019 Sentence or outcome: Subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/jury-convicts-jefferson-city-man-false-information-two-attempts-purchase-firearms