PORTLAND, Ore. - Billy Darnell Ellington, 27, of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced by Senior District Court Judge Robert E. Jones today to one year and one day following his plea of guilty to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of 24 firearms.

Ellington purchased the firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in Salem and Dallas, Oregon. He falsified the form required to purchase firearms known as ATF form 4473, by indicating that the firearms were for him, when his intent was to sell them to individuals in Stockton, California. Shortly after being purchased by Ellington, five of the firearms were seized during arrests conducted by law enforcement in Stockton. Three of those firearms had their serial numbers obliterated. It was revealed today during the sentencing hearing that at least one of the individuals arrested with one of the firearms in Stockton had a gang affiliation. Ellington, who had no prior criminal record and had been a student at Western Oregon University, was given a self-surrender date of August 27, 2012, to report to the designated federal Bureau of Prisons facility where he will serve his sentence.

This case was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Weinhouse.