PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Monroeville, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to imprisonment for 8 months on his conviction of violating a federal firearms law, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Matthew Alfaro, 23, of Monroeville, PA.
According to information presented to the court, on or about December 29, 2020, Mr. Alfaro knowingly made a false statement in connection with the acquisition of two firearms from a licensed firearms dealer, intending to deceive the dealer. Mr. Alfaro purchased a Glock model 22, .40 caliber pistol and a Springfield Armory model Saint, 5.56 caliber pistol from a Pittsburgh-area licensed firearms dealer. Mr. Alfaro stated on ATF Form 4473 that he was purchasing the firearms for himself, when in truth, he was purchasing them at the direction of another person, intending to deliver them to that person.
In to imposing the sentence, Judge Ranjan highlighted in part the harm caused by firearms violence, the impact that straw purchases like those carried out by Mr. Alfaro have on the community, and the need to deter such conduct in the future.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan J. McKenna and Benjamin C. Dobkin prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Alfaro.