Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Prison for Falsifying Firearms Purchase Forms
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to two years and six months in prison, followed by three years supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Duane Manuel, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, on September 19, 2017, Manuel falsified firearms purchase forms at Island Firearms during his purchase of two firearms. Manuel also falsified firearms purchase forms on September 10, 2017, at Island Firearms; on September 1, 2017, at Anthony Arms; on July 31, 2017 at Anthony Arms; July 1, 2017 at Justin’s Gun Shop; on June 16, 2017, at Anthony Arms; on June 10, 2017, at Anthony Arms and Island Firearms; and on June 4, 2017, at Anthony Arms. Overall, Manuel purchased 15 firearms, and falsely stated that he was purchasing the firearms for himself. In fact, he purchased the firearms at the direction of other persons, intending to deliver the firearms to those individuals.
Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Manuel. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in a America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.