Maryland man pleads guilty to illegally purchasing firearms in Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Maryland man pled guilty today to making false statements to federal firearms licensees (FFLs) while purchasing firearms in Virginia.

According to court documents, between Aug. 30, 2021, and Nov. 10, 2022, Jalen Jabrielle Sweet, 24, resided in College Park, Maryland. During that time, Sweet purchased 20 firearms from FFLs in Virginia. For each of these firearm purchases, Sweet completed an ATF Form 4473, as required by federal law. In total, Sweet completed a total of 15 ATF Form 4473s, and on each of the forms Sweet listed his current address as an apartment in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Woodbridge address Sweet used on the forms was his father's address, where Sweet only stayed periodically.

Sweet signed and dated each form by hand, certifying that his answers were "true, correct, and complete" and acknowledged that "making any false… written statement or exhibiting any false or misrepresented identification with respect to this transaction, is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law[.]"

One of the firearms Sweet purchased using the false address was a Glock 43x pistol, purchased from Trojan Arms & Tactical Inc., at the Dulles Expo in Chantilly, Virginia, on Jan. 2, 2022. That firearm was recovered by law enforcement in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the possession of another individual on Feb. 9, 2023.

Sweet is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Walutes Jr. is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-36.