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Three Phoenix Men Indicted for Firearms Conspiracy
PHOENIX, Ariz. – In a shocking turn of events, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 65-count indictment against Chris Oliver, 23, of Gilbert, Arizona, Michael Kelly, 23, of Tempe, Arizona, and Dion Delpino, 23, of Gilbert, Arizona, for conspiracy to make false statements in acquisition of firearms and 63 instances of making a false statement during the purchase of firearms.
As per the indictment, Oliver, Kelly, and Delpino conspired to purchase firearms from licensed dealers by means of false statements and representations. The indictment further alleges that, on 63 occasions between September 2019 and November 2020, Oliver, Kelly, and Delpino used false statements to successfully purchase 102 firearms from 14 licensed dealers throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Oliver then sold these firearms to persons known and unknown in Arizona and elsewhere. The indictment also charges Oliver with dealing firearms without a license, a serious offense that can result in harsh penalties.
“Evidence shows that illegally-trafficked firearms go hand-in-hand with violent criminal acts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Glenn McCormick. “The District of Arizona remains steadfast in its commitment to work with law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who fuel dangerous offenses by violating federal firearms laws.”
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, and Scottsdale Police Departments, as well as Homeland Security Investigations and Phoenix Police Department – Commercial Narcotics Interdiction Unit.
Coleen Schoch, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, or both, and a term of supervised release of three years.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
CASE NUMBER: CR 21-00600-DLR (DMF)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021-049_Oliver
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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