JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A former Clearfield, Pa., resident was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The indictment named Heather L. Welker, 41, of Emigrant, Montana, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on various dates from Jan. 28, 2015, to March 26, 2015, Welker purchased a number of firearms from Grice Gun Shop, a federally licensed firearms dealer, stating she was purchasing the firearms for herself, when, in truth and fact, she was not the actual buyer and was purchasing the firearms on behalf of another person.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Welker.
According to Ms. Song, Heather L. Welker is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
