Man accused of lying on gun application
A Charleroi man faces a hearing next month after he allegedly lied on an application when he went to purchase a weapon earlier this month at a South Strabane Township gun dealer while wanted on two warrants.
Justin W. Sutton, 32, of 616 1/2 Conrad Ave., was trying to purchase a semiautomatic pistol at Ace Sporting Goods, 462 Washington Road, Jan. 9. State police in Harrisburg ran him through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System to verify he was eligible to purchase a firearm. Records showed he had active bench warrants in Washington and Westmoreland counties, South Strabane police said.
Police said Sutton allegedly falsely answered questions on the firearms transaction form. Not only was he wanted on the warrants, but Sutton is a convicted felon, having pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge.
Sutton was placed in the Washington County jail on a warrant for failure to pay fines and costs imposed in a previous case. He was later released.
Ernest Williams, 26, no address available, was with Sutton. He told police he was in possession of a gun. Police had the serial number of the .22-caliber Glock checked and could find no information on file. Police confiscated the weapon until further investigation could be done. Williams also was briefly placed in jail until satisfying the conditions of a warrant.
Charges of unsworn falsification and providing false information for firearm ownership were filed last week against Sutton and will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 19.