Massachusetts Man Sentenced On Firearms Charges

   CONCORD, N.H. –Christian Gonzalez, 35, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced in United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to 21 months in prison for aiding and abetting the making of false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, announced United States Attorney John P. Kacavas.

            Gonzalez admitted that he was not able to legally purchase a firearm so he solicited another individual, or “straw purchaser,” to purchase firearms for him.  On seven different occasions, Gonzalez drove the “straw purchaser” to a federally licensed firearms dealer in New Hampshire and provided him the money to purchase eleven firearms.  Gonzalez took possession of the firearms immediately after the purchases were made. Two of the firearms were later recovered in Malden, Massachusetts.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.