PITTSBURGH, PA — A resident of West Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release at each of his eleven counts of convictions for violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV imposed the sentence on Dennis Renfro, age 30.
According to information presented to the court, Renfro purchased 11 handguns at the direction of others and misrepresented that he was the actual buyer when purchasing the firearms from federal firearms licensees. During the investigation, Renfro admitted to authorities that he purchased one firearm for someone he knew was prohibited from possessing firearms and to purchasing another firearm that was later used in a shooting. Federal agents separately determined that Renfro purchased another firearm for a minor.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Stickman denied the defendant’s request for a downward departure and a downward variance. Judge Stickman also stated, “Gun violence is a plague on our community . . . you purchased eleven firearms . . . the Court is most troubled by the fact that you made this decision time and time again.”
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Renfro.