EARL L. DANCY, JR. (36), of Tacoma, Washington was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury today for Making a False Statement in Connection with the Acquisition of a Firearm. According to the indictment, DANCY made the false statement when he was purchasing a Remington .308-caliber rifle, model 700, from Bull's Eye Shooter Supply, 414 Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. On a form required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, DANCY stated he was purchasing the rifle for his own use. In fact he was purchasing it for another individual listed in the indictment as J.M.

DANCY testified during the November 2003 trial of D.C. Sniper John Mohammed in Virginia. DANCY stated he had purchased the .308-caliber rifle for Mohammed. Other testimony also revealed that on August 17, 2002, two individuals who were driving through a field in Tacoma, saw the Remington .308-caliber rifle on the ground. At the same time they heard someone running through the bushes. The loaded rifle was sitting on a tripod and was pointing toward a nearby apartment building. The individuals who found the rifle called the police, who took possession of it.

Making a False Statement in Connection with Acquisition of a Firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 2-3 years of supervised release. An indictment contains allegations that have not yet been proven at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlen Storm.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington at (206) 553-4110.

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