Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A northern California man who lied on federal gun forms to unlawfully purchase approximately 90 firearms in Nevada, was sentenced today to 8½ years in federal prison and three years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jill A. Snyder of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) San Francisco Field Division. 

Edward Jameson Purry, II, 30, of Oakland, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. Purry was convicted by a federal jury in Las Vegas in March 2015 of four counts of illegal acquisition of a firearm.

“This case is of significance because the firearms Purry purchased ended up in the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “The defendant’s conduct was incredibly reckless and irresponsible and has placed the community in danger for years to come.”   

“Today’s sentencing represents an example of ATF using its multitude of resources to investigate firearms trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Snyder. “Purry purchased about 90 guns, which he sold for a profit of about $100,000. Seventeen of those firearms have been recovered by local law enforcement and were directly related to criminal activity. ATF will continue to pursue firearms trafficking investigations, as they are the primary source and supply of arming violent criminals in our communities.”

According to the court records and evidence submitted at trial, between June 2013 and September 2013, Purry made false statements on ATF forms to purchase approximately 90 handguns from licensed gun dealers in Las Vegas and Reno. Purry represented on the forms that he was a resident of Nevada when in fact he was a resident of California. Purry sold the majority of the firearms for double their price on the streets of Oakland, including to an individual who he believed was transporting the firearms to Mexico. 

This case was investigated by ATF and the United States Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip N. Smith, Jr.

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