Hiawatha felon sentenced for illegal firearm purchase

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 37 months in prison for directing a third party to illegally purchase a firearm for him.  

According to court documents, Jonathan Lee Hunt, 34, of Hiawatha pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting another in providing false statements in the acquisition of a firearm. 

In April 2021, Hunt instructed another person to submit false information in order to purchase a Taurus, Model G3, 9mm pistol on his behalf. Hunt is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior qualifying felony conviction. 

“Purchasing firearms for prohibited people is a major source of crime guns around the country and here in Kansas,” stated Bernard Hansen, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division. “Federal firearms laws exist to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and those who cannot lawfully possess firearms. Those who seek to evade federal law by lying to purchase guns or by getting others to do so, will be identified and prosecuted. Enforcing these laws reduces violent crime and keeps our communities safe.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Hiawatha Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag prosecuted the case.

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