Phoenix Man Sentenced for Lying to Purchase Firearm

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Bobby Lee Seely, Jr., 48, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 80 months in prison. Seely previously pleaded guilty to making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm.

In September 2020, Seely made the false statement when he attempted to purchase a pistol from a federally-licensed firearms store in Arizona. When Seely attempted to purchase the pistol, he stated on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form that he was not prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, Seely was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition because he had previously been convicted of a felony offense as well as a domestic violence misdemeanor.

"Federal law doesn't just prohibit felons from possessing firearms," said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. "Misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence, including where the victim is a spouse or intimate partner, also preclude gun ownership and possession in America. And for good reason: victims are more vulnerable when their abusers have firearms."

Following his arrest in this matter, agents searched a storage unit owned by Seely and recovered a privately made firearm or "ghost gun" that was loaded with a high-capacity magazine. Agents also found over 100 rounds of ammunition.

The FBI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Brook and Aron Ketchel, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER: CR-20-0643-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022- 094_Seely

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