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Tymon Peterson, 29, of Stratford, has been sentenced to two months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in an illegal gun purchase at a Newington gun store. The first four months will be served in home confinement, and Peterson was ordered to serve the first four months of his release in home confinement and must pay a $1,800 fine.
U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in August and September 2017, Peterson and a second man, Justin Weir, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm, sent each other text messages regarding the purchase of weapons. On Sept. 22, Peterson and Weir traveled to Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington to purchase firearms.
At the store, the felon provided Peterson with the cash to purchase two guns on his behalf. On that day, Peterson filled out an ATF Form 4473 in which he falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of the two guns and that he was not acquiring the firearms for another person.
Peterson gave the guns to Weir after they exited the store. Weir’s criminal history includes state convictions for illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and carrying a pistol without a permit.
Peterson also attempted to purchase additional weapons the following day, Durham said, but because the clerk was concerned that the sale might be illegal, he opted not to sell any weapons to him. The clerk at Hoffman’s then contacted the ATF, and an investigation was launched.
Peterson was arrested on Jan. 1 last year and he pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm in December. Weir pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
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