Randall Rolison, Felon in Possession, New York 2023

Jamestown, NY – Randall Rolison, 60, has confessed to a dangerous game of skirting the law, pleading guilty today to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The conviction carries a hefty potential sentence: up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Rolison, an over-the-road truck driver, wasn’t just hauling freight. Between the summer of 2021 and December 2021, he was making runs to Georgia, allegedly purchasing firearms and ammunition from a roadside vendor. He then transported those weapons back to New York, specifically the Southern Tier, and began dealing them.

The scheme wasn’t simple. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Testani, Rolison used text messages to gauge interest from potential buyers, effectively acting as a straw purchaser. He’d solicit orders and then illegally obtain the firearms on behalf of others, a clear violation of federal law. Investigators say he managed to move or attempt to sell a total of nine firearms and associated ammunition.

This wasn’t a first offense. Rolison’s criminal history dates back to 1997, when he was convicted of a felony in Michigan. That conviction permanently stripped him of the right to legally possess firearms. The current investigation was a joint effort between the Jamestown Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“This case demonstrates the dedication of our law enforcement partners to keeping our communities safe,” stated a source close to the investigation, speaking on background. “Individuals with felony convictions who attempt to obtain and distribute firearms will be held accountable.”

Randall Rolison is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The outcome will likely send a strong message to those who think they can profit from illegal gun trafficking in New York State. The investigation was led by Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito.

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