Woman pleads guilty to “straw purchase” of firearms

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A Columbus woman admitted in U.S. District Court here today that she illegally bought two handguns for an individual who was not allowed to have firearms, a process known as straw purchasing.

Connie Bartley, 41, of Columbus pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

Court documents say Bartley attended a gun show in Columbus in February 2021 with an acquaintance who had a felony conviction on his criminal record. He picked out two firearms. She filled out the ATF forms indicating that the firearms were for her and bought them. She then gave the guns to him, and he paid her for them. Investigators recovered the firearms three months later when they searched the man's apartment as part of a federal investigation.

"Don't lie for the other guy or you'll find yourself facing harsh consequences," said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. "Keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are not allowed to possess them is vital to reducing violence in our communities."

Making false statements during the purchase of a firearm is punishable by up to ten years in prison. The court will determine an appropriate sentence under federal sentencing guidelines.

Mr. Parker was joined by Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) in announcing the plea entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

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