Former Dover Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for the Unlawful Possession of Four Guns and Ammunition Obtained by a Straw Purchaser

CONCORD - A former Dover man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for illegally possessing four firearms and ammunition that he acquired by using a straw purchaser, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Christopher T. Brown, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 57 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On February 7, 2024, Brown pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The straw purchaser in this case plead guilty to two counts of making false statements in connection with acquisition of a firearm and was sentenced on October 25, 2023.

"The defendant used a straw purchaser to unlawfully acquire and possess multiple firearms, including a dangerous sawed-off shotgun with a tampered serial number," said U.S. Attorney Young. "Individuals prohibited from obtaining firearms cannot use straw purchasers to circumvent federal law. The U.S. Attorney's Office and our federal law enforcement partners will investigate these crimes and bring both the prohibited individuals and the straw purchasers to justice."

"Firearms possessed by convicted felons, often lead to an increase of violent crime within our communities," said ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson "The sentence imposed yesterday sends a clear message that convicted felons who possess firearms will be held accountable. ATF alongside our local and state law enforcement partners are committed to keeping our communities safe."

On January 9, 2023, the defendant's wife called emergency services and reported that she and the defendant had an argument, and that the defendant had a gun to his head. Dover police officers responded to the emergency call at the defendant's home. The defendant's wife consented to a search of the house, and officers found four firearms in the closet of their son's bedroom. Those guns included two pistols, a .40 caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number. Officers also recovered ammunition.

The defendant later admitted to owning the firearms and knowing that he could not lawfully possess them as a felon. The defendant also admitted that he used a straw purchaser to purchase three of the firearms and asked that straw purchaser to file a false police report that the firearms she bought were stolen.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

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