Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Daniel Sullivan, 35, of Manchester, was sentenced to 168 months (14 years) in federal prison for the illegal possession of firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2015 and 2016, Sullivan purchased and traded several firearms in New Hampshire with the help of his partner, Sara Johnson. At the time of these transactions, Sullivan was a convicted felon who could not legally possess firearms. In several instances, Sullivan contacted private individuals who had posted firearms for sale online, then utilized Johnson – who was not a convicted felon – to assist in the purchase of the firearms. Once these firearms transactions came to the attention of law enforcement, federal agents obtained a search warrant for Sullivan and Johnson’s residence in Manchester, which resulted in the seizure of a .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.

Sullivan previously pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on May 31, 2018.

Johnson pleaded guilty to firearms charges on February 15, 2018. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20, 2018.

"Keeping guns out of the hands of criminals helps to make our community safer," said U.S. Attorney Murray. "When felons unlawfully obtain guns, those weapons all too frequently can be used to commit violent crimes. This substantial sentence demonstrates our commitment to work closely with our law enforcement partners to improve public safety."

"This sentence illustrates the seriousness of prohibited individuals illegally possessing firearms," said Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "ATF will continue its tireless pursuit of both firearm traffickers and illegal possessors, by coordinating our efforts with our federal, state and local partners."

This matter was investigated by the ATF and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.

The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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