Kimberly Royce, Illegally Acquiring Firearms, Pennsylvania 2013

Scranton Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Acquiring Firearms

A 49-year-old Scranton woman has pleaded guilty to making false representations in connection with the purchase of firearms.

Kimberly Royce admitted to making false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer in Luzerne County on two occasions in 2013.

On January 30, 2013, Royce obtained a 9mm pistol, and on March 29, 2013, she obtained a .45 caliber pistol. In both cases, she falsely represented that she was not purchasing the firearms for another person and that she was not an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Wilkes-Barre Police, and the Kingston Police. A federal grand jury indicted Royce in October 2014.

Royce faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, and sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case. The indictment and criminal information are only allegations, and all persons charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in court.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, the judge will consider factors such as the nature and seriousness of the offense, the defendant's history and characteristics, and the need to punish the defendant and protect the public.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/scranton-woman-pleads-guilty-illegally-acquiring-firearms