Chester man gets state pen term for straw gun purchase

MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A 27-year-old Chester man was sentenced to five to 10 years in a state correctional institution Tuesday under a mandatory minimum sentence for firearm “straw buyers” who illegally resell legally purchased guns on the street.

Ronald Eli Williams, of the 1200 block of Crosby Street, pleaded guilty to six consolidated counts of illegally transferring firearms he purchased at local stores between Sept. 2011 and June 2014. Deputy District Attorney George Dawson invoked the mandatory minimum under the Brad Fox law for defendants convicted of more than one instance of illegal firearm sales.

Police recovered a .40 caliber Smith and Wes son Highpoint pistol from am an during a traffic stop in Jan .2014, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Pennsylvania State Trooper John Hanosek. The firearm was reported stolen to Chester police May 21, 2013, and was entered into evidence at the state police barracks in Media.

Williams contacted Hanosek in November 2014 asking about the gun and was told he would have to come in to retrieve it from evidence. Williams was interviewed by state police troopers on the purchase of several firearms when he arrived Dec. 16, 2014.

Williams told investigators he bought the Smith and Wesson from Stan Nagle’s Firearms in Media Sept. 4, 2011, for $200 and later sold it for $139. He also admitted to buying an Olympic Arms .32 caliber pistol for $200 that same day, which he later sold for $90.

State police said Williams additionally admitted to purchasing a Ruger 9mm pistol for $200 Dec. 29, 2011, from Target master in Chadds Ford, where he also acquired a FN Hersnal .45 caliber pistol for $1,200 on June 7,2014. He sold the Ruger for $90 and the FN Hersnal for $1,250, according to the affidavit.

Williams also bought a Kahr 9mm hand gun for $451 from Millers Sporting Goods in March 2014, which he later sold for $450, as well as a Glock 9mm pistol for $539 on May 17, 2013, which he sold for $550.

The affidavit indicates Williams signed forms during these transactions affirming he was buying the guns for himself.

He reported to Chester police the Smith and Wesson, Ruger and Glock were stolen from his residence May 21, 2013, according to the affidavit. The Olympic Arms pistol was likewise reported stolen in February, 2013, the Kahr was reported stolen June 2, 2014, and the FN Hersnal was reported stolen June 7, 2014.

In each instance, Williams said he reported the firearms stolen so that he would not be in trouble if they were used in the commission of a crime.

Williams, represented by attorney Dave Iannucci, did notmake a statement during the plea hearing and sentencing Tuesday before Judge JamesNilon. Iannucci asked that the judge recommend incarceration at SCI Chester.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan commended Dawson Hanosek and Trooper John Cargan on the conviction.

“Straw purchasing … is one of the main ways criminals prohibited from owning guns get access to them,” Whelan stated in a release. “The reality is this type of decision is not only a crime, but it is morally reprehensible with total disregard for society. It is our hope that our continued convictions will discourage people from purchasing guns and potentially placing themin the hands of dangerous criminals.”