Sara Johnson, 35, of Manchester, is going down for putting guns in the hands of criminals. She pleaded guilty in federal court this week to federal firearms charges, admitting she handed a rifle to a known felon and later obliterated the serial number of a pistol she bought in a private sale, federal prosecutors confirmed.
According to court records and statements made during her plea, Johnson purchased a rifle in 2015 through a private transaction in New Hampshire—one that bypassed background checks—and knowingly provided it to a man she knew was a convicted felon. Possession of firearms by felons is strictly prohibited under federal law, and supplying a weapon to such an individual carries serious penalties.
But Johnson didn’t stop there. That same year, she bought a pistol in Bow, New Hampshire, an exchange where the firearm still bore its original serial number. On June 9, 2016, federal agents and Manchester police raided her residence, uncovering the same weapon hidden under a mattress—now with the serial number deliberately ground off. Forensic testing confirmed it was the identical pistol, linking Johnson directly to the defaced firearm.
Destroying a serial number is more than just evidence tampering—it’s a federal crime that denies law enforcement the ability to trace weapons used in violent crimes. Johnson’s actions effectively laundered a weapon, making it harder to track if and when it resurfaces in a shooting, robbery, or homicide.
Acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley didn’t mince words: ‘Those who purchase guns for criminals are contributing to the violent crime problem.’ He emphasized that the Justice Department is prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative targeting illegal gun trafficking and possession through aggressive prosecution and community intervention.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with support from the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley is handling the prosecution. Johnson is set for sentencing on May 24, 2018, where she could face years behind bars. This case stands as a stark warning: helping felons get guns isn’t a favor—it’s a felony.
RELATED: Gladys Maria Pena Dominguez Sentenced for Tax Refund ID Theft Scam
RELATED: Ronald Weaver Gets 52 Months for Heroin Death Link
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Younge Pleads Guilty in Hooksett Gun Scheme · Massachusetts
- Anthony Sok Say Pleads Guilty to Gun Lie Scheme · Massachusetts
- Bergeron, Dunn & Fithian Nabbed in NH Gun Straw Purchase Scheme · Massachusetts
- Manchester Felon Kirkpatrick Caught Peddling Guns · New Hampshire
- Felon Gun Clerk Guilty · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons