Peter Lawrence Pleads Guilty

Peter Alexander Lawrence, a 41-year-old Jacksonville man, has pleaded guilty to making false statements and representations to a federally licensed firearms dealer in an attempt to purchase a firearm.

According to the plea agreement, Lawrence faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.

The guilty plea stems from an incident in March 2023, when Lawrence attempted to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. During the attempted purchase, Lawrence completed an ATF Form 4473, on which he indicated that he had not been convicted of a crime where a judge could have imprisoned him for more than one year, and also that he had never been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

However, both of these statements were false. In 2008, Lawrence was convicted of a crime where the prison sentence could have been more than a year, and in 2018, he was convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery. These prior convictions made Lawrence’s statements on the ATF Form 4473 false, leading to the guilty plea.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021, which strengthens PSN based on core principles such as fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations, and setting focused enforcement priorities.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, led by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg, is committed to reducing violent crime and gun violence through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods. By prosecuting individuals who make false statements in attempts to purchase firearms, the office aims to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands and to make our communities safer.

The guilty plea of Peter Alexander Lawrence serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and transparency in firearm purchases. The consequences of making false statements can be severe, and the Department of Justice will continue to prosecute individuals who attempt to circumvent the law. As the case moves forward to sentencing, the community will be watching to see that justice is served.