Former cop gets 10 years...
10-year sentence for former police officer in gun case
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A former police officer accused of illegally selling hundreds of guns has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Mark Nelson, 35, his wife and two other family members each pleaded guilty in August to one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm. He received the maximum sentence Tuesday from U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr.
"You created a great risk to the public," Sargus told Nelson, who said he was sorry and asked for leniency.
"I've always had high respect for the law," Nelson said.
Authorities said guns traced to Nelson were used in crimes in several states, and one was found on terrorist suspects detained as they tried to enter Canada in 2005.
Nelson, who joined Columbus police in 1997 and left in 2005 because of a back problem, put 501 guns on the streets, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"He knowingly - he's a former police officer - was a portal diverting guns from the federally mandated tracking system, diverting them into the hands of felons," Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Squires said.
Prosecutors said Nelson enlisted his relatives to buy guns in 2005 because he was denied when a background check showed he was under indictment for felonious assault.
Nelson said Robert Cook, a gun dealer from suburban Westerville, suggested that Nelson have his family sign gun-purchase forms. Sargus said Nelson should have realized from his police training that was illegal.
Nelson's wife, Phaedra, was sentenced to probation Tuesday. His other family members and Cook, who has pleaded guilty to one count of selling a firearm to a prohibited person, await sentencing.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A former police officer accused of illegally selling hundreds of guns has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Mark Nelson, 35, his wife and two other family members each pleaded guilty in August to one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm. He received the maximum sentence Tuesday from U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr.
"You created a great risk to the public," Sargus told Nelson, who said he was sorry and asked for leniency.
"I've always had high respect for the law," Nelson said.
Authorities said guns traced to Nelson were used in crimes in several states, and one was found on terrorist suspects detained as they tried to enter Canada in 2005.
Nelson, who joined Columbus police in 1997 and left in 2005 because of a back problem, put 501 guns on the streets, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"He knowingly - he's a former police officer - was a portal diverting guns from the federally mandated tracking system, diverting them into the hands of felons," Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Squires said.
Prosecutors said Nelson enlisted his relatives to buy guns in 2005 because he was denied when a background check showed he was under indictment for felonious assault.
Nelson said Robert Cook, a gun dealer from suburban Westerville, suggested that Nelson have his family sign gun-purchase forms. Sargus said Nelson should have realized from his police training that was illegal.
Nelson's wife, Phaedra, was sentenced to probation Tuesday. His other family members and Cook, who has pleaded guilty to one count of selling a firearm to a prohibited person, await sentencing.
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More ammunition for the gun haters. How 'bout a story about the MILLIONS who enjoy them legally? Oh yeah, no agenda there. 0 -
what did he do? where was he getting all these weapons? no ffl? 0
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