Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Oregon
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Billy J. Williams
Contact: Kevin Sonoff
Albany Gun Dealer Indicted on Federal Firearms Charges
EUGENE, Ore. – On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that a federal grand jury in Eugene has indicted Nicholas Earle Russell, 67, of Albany, Oregon. Russell is the owner and operator of a gun store called Albany Guns, Coins and Jewelry.
The four-count indictment alleges that from November 19, 2016 to January 25, 2017, Russell sold high-caliber firearms, including a .50 caliber handgun and .223 and .308 caliber rifles, to an individual Russell knew was a convicted felon. Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years and a fine of up to $250,000.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.
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