A Wales woman pleaded guilty this week in federal court to gun charges.
Stephanie V. Stevens, 35, admitted to making a false statement to acquire a firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Both counts are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Prosecutors said Stevens, also known as Stephanie Forsyth, visited Black Dog Arms in Harrison on June 5 where she bought a Stag Arms AR-15 5.56 mm rifle.
Stevens filled out an FBI National Instant Check System form that asked whether she had ever been convicted of a felony or any other crime for which a judge could have imprisoned her for more than a year. She answered, “No.”
Stevens had, in fact, been convicted in Fairfax County, Va., of obtaining money by false pretenses in 2008 and embezzlement in 2011. Both crimes were punishable by more than a year in prison.
In a recorded interview by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents on Sept. 2, Stevens confirmed she bought the rifle from Black Dog Arms on that date as a gift for her husband.
When agents later interviewed her husband at the couple’s home in Wales, he acknowledged that she had bought the gun for him. He surrendered the gun to the agents, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Guerrette.
Stevens’ sentencing is scheduled for July 25.
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