William Patrick Midberry, Violating Federal Gun Laws, Pennsylvania 2017

Pittsburgh, PA – A Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania gun dealer has been charged with violating federal gun laws.

William Patrick Midberry, 37, of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating firearm laws, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Brady today.

The two-count indictment named Midberry, aka William Patrick Schmidt, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on September 8, 2017, and April 15, 2018, Midberry, a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer who operated Slippery Rock Outfitters, made false entries onto federal firearms purchase forms and sold firearms without performing background checks.

Midberry faces a maximum sentence of not more than two years in prison, a fine of not more than $200,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Midberry’s actions put the community at risk and undermined the trust in the firearms industry. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to enforcing federal firearms laws and keeping our communities safe.

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