Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYMON PETERSON, 29, of Stratford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August and September 2017, Peterson and Jamal Weir texted one another about purchasing firearms.  Peterson possessed a valid pistol permit and was able to purchase firearms legally, but Weir, as a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.  On September 22, 2017, Peterson and Weir travelled together to Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington.  At the store, Weir provided Peterson with cash to purchase at least one firearm on his behalf.  On that date, Peterson filled out an ATF Form 4473 in which he falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of a SCCY Model CPX-2, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and that he was not acquiring the firearm for another person.  Peterson gave the pistol to Weir after they exited the store.

Peterson was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 1, 2018.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for March 8, 2019, at which time Peterson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Peterson is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

Weir, 29, of Bridgeport, has been detained since his arrest on September 17, 2018.  On December 6, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2019.

This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, Newington Police Department and Hoffman’s Gun Center.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Margaret E. Maigret.

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