U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
District of Maine

111 South 10th Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63102

www.justice.gov/usao/moe

For Immediate Release

May 15, 2009

Jefferson County Man Indicted on Federal Charges

St. Louis, MO: Leroy Lawrence Schutte was indicted on federal charges involving his attempted purchase of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today.

Schutte, 34, Festus, MO, was indicted May 7, by a federal grand jury on one felony count of making a false statement to a dealer. He appeared in federal court earlier today. According to the indictment, on July 23, 2008, Schutte attempted to purchase a shotgun from Festus Pawn & Jewelry. The indictment states that Schutte falsely stated that he had no prior felony convictions. He appeared in federal court earlier today.

If convicted, Schutte faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Reap commended the work on the case by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Bert, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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