Prohibited persons beware of false statements on a firearm application

Inigoes · Mar 19, 2019

This is the first successfully prosecuted case, where a prohibited person tried to purchase a handgun and was convicted.

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced two guilty pleas by Joseph Ross West, 29, of Mechanicsville for felony illegal possession of a rifle and false statement on a firearms application. In January, West pled guilty to the illegal possession charge, and Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier subsequently sentenced him to 15 years incarceration, suspending all but one year. Following a guilty plea in December, 2018 to the false statement charge, West was sentenced by Circuit Court for Baltimore County Judge Ruth Jakubowski to one year incarceration. The sentences will run concurrently. Upon release, West will be required to serve five years of supervised probation, to complete a jail-based treatment program, to not possess any firearms or drugs, to complete a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment, and forfeit all firearms seized.

The investigation began with a firearms license application submitted by West. Despite a prior conviction for a crime of violence, West lied on the application and stated he had no prior record. While conducting a background check to review West's application, the Maryland State Police (MSP) Licensing Division spotted his prior conviction and denied his application. The case was then turned over to the MSP Criminal Enforcement Division for an investigation. Investigators with the State Police discovered that in addition to the false statement on the application, West had also recently pawned rifles and shotguns at pawn shops in Charles County. His prior crime of violence meant he was prohibited from possessing those rifles and shotguns as well. In conjunction with the Charles County Sheriff's Office, MSP investigators responded to the pawn shops and recovered the firearms.

"Mr. West knowingly lied on the license application," said Attorney General Frosh. "Attempting to cover up prior criminal history to purchase a handgun is a crime for which he has been held accountable."

The investigation was led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and the Maryland State Police (MSP) Gun Enforcement Section.

In making today's announcement, Attorney General Frosh thanked Organized Crime Chief Katie Dorian, MSP Lieutenant Jeffrey Jones, MSP Detective Sergeant Frank Lopez, Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry, and Assistant Attorney General Jared Albert, who prosecuted these cases. Attorney General Frosh also thanked State's Attorney for Charles County Tony Covington and State's Attorney for Baltimore County Scott Shellenberger for their assistance in this prosecution.

http://www.somd.com/news/headlines/2019/23316.php

PowPow · Mar 19, 2019

I long for the day when the State of Maryland, MSP, Attorneys General, and Circuit Courts pursue and prosecute repeat offenders and violent crime with this vigor!

welder516 · Mar 19, 2019

Yeah in Baltimore City this is just a slap on the hand , make no mistake they want us and they want the guns we have . Anyway they can make us a prohibitive person would warn their cockles or cuckles

PJDiesel · Mar 19, 2019

Sounds like he might have been somewhat of a bad seed overall if he's pawning guns. No offense to those that do/have, just seems like something a shady person or someone that lacks trustworthy friends or is untrustworthy himself would do.

rseymorejr · Mar 19, 2019

So, does he have an HQL? Or did he lie on the HQL application??

PJDiesel · Mar 19, 2019

rseymorejr said:
So, does he have an HQL? Or did he lie on the HQL application??

Two different quotes above. First one says he was in illegal possession of a "rifle", then the direct quote below that claims he attempted to "purchase a handgun".

tallen702 · Mar 19, 2019

PJDiesel said:
Sounds like he might have been somewhat of a bad seed overall if he's pawning guns. No offense to those that do/have, just seems like something a shady person or someone that lacks trustworthy friends or is untrustworthy himself would do.

He was popped prior to this on at least one heroin charge.

danb · Mar 19, 2019

I find this part a tad amusing. on his prior conviction records (case ID 4Q00045343 and 0A00284340):

VALLARIO, JOSEPH F Jr

lol

theft, assault, bunch of other stuff. He was a bad boy.

They can tout this conviction but the reality is he should have been in jail a lot longer for earlier stuff. This conviction is pretty much catching the horse after its left the barn, gone down the street, and eaten the neighbors crops, and is now resting in the sun.

PJDiesel · Mar 19, 2019

tallen702 said:
He was popped prior to this on at least one heroin charge.

Yup,... that'll do it! :sad20:

MigraineMan · Mar 19, 2019

rseymorejr said:
So, does he have an HQL? Or did he lie on the HQL application??

PJDiesel said:
Two different quotes above. First one says he was in illegal possession of a "rifle", then the direct quote below that claims he attempted to "purchase a handgun".

I find it difficult to believe that a Maryland FFL would (could?) start paperwork on a handgun transaction without having the information from the HQL card and the customer's application/PIN combo from the MSP Licensing Portal.

ironpony · Mar 19, 2019

How did they work in substance abuse given the two charges? Don't answer, I know this is md and I don't even care to know anymore, whatever the moms want.

PJDiesel · Mar 19, 2019

ironpony said:
How did they work in substance abuse given the two charges? Don't answer, I know this is md and I don't even care to know anymore, whatever the moms want.

Might has been part of his defense. The MD legal system loves them some drug addicts, keeps the machine going strong!

If I had to guess, his defense probably spiced up his hard luck story by admitting he was an illicit user of illegals substance(s).

antco · Mar 19, 2019

Article said:
Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier subsequently sentenced him to 15 years incarceration, suspending all but one year.

Why was 14 years of this sentence suspended??? ?? ???

ironpony · Mar 19, 2019

I'm starting to think attorneys may have a bit too much power. making and passing laws that keep them/their understudys in work.

No offense meant, just a quick $.02

PJDiesel · Mar 19, 2019

ironpony said:
I'm starting to think attorneys may have a bit too much power. making and passing laws that keep them/their understudys in work.

No offense meant, just a quick $.02

You're JUST starting to think that?

PJDiesel · Mar 19, 2019

All judges were once lawyers including most times the States Attorneys/Public Defenders becoming Judges. Then, sprinkle in the fact that 50% of our Legislators and a lot of people sitting on "boards" throughout the State are also from the profession.

And, in my case "offense meant", shits getting old.

davsco · Mar 19, 2019

antco said:
Why was 14 years of this sentence suspended??? ?? ???

that is what (or part of what) really pisses me off. they have ACTUAL criminals and do little to nothing with them, but instead want to infringe on the 99% of actual law-abiding citizens. guess what, if we put, and keep, all the felons in jail, the world will be a much safer place, even with millions of firearms out there.

chilipeppermaniac · Mar 19, 2019

PJDiesel said:
Two different quotes above. First one says he was in illegal possession of a "rifle", then the direct quote below that claims he attempted to "purchase a handgun".

I saw this too. Oh and WTF HELLO, 10 yr sentence down to 1. Just like the criminal who broke in my house, 10 yr sentence down to 6.5 and then served approximately 3 when I was not notified he was up for parole to contest the BS.

danb · Mar 19, 2019

antco said:
Why was 14 years of this sentence suspended??? ?? ???

Its a crime. But not really!

chilipeppermaniac · Mar 19, 2019

danb said:
I find this part a tad amusing. on his prior conviction records (case ID 4Q00045343 and 0A00284340):

lol

theft, assault, bunch of other stuff. He was a bad boy.

They can tout this conviction but the reality is he should have been in jail a lot longer for earlier stuff. This conviction is pretty much catching the horse after its left the barn, gone down the street, and eaten the neighbors crops, and is now resting in the sun.

Wait, it is the gun's fault. Bad guns.

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