3 Valley men indicted for conspiracy to buy firearms using false statements

PHOENIX– A federal grand jury in Phoenix earlier in the month returned a 65-count indictment against three Valley residents who allegedly conspired to purchase firearms from licensed dealers by making false statements, authorities said.

The 65-count indictment alleges 23-year-old’s Chris Oliver and Dion Delpino, both from Gilbert, as well as Michael Kelly, of Tempe, used at least 63 false statements on separate occasions during the purchase of the firearms between September 2019 and November 2020, according to a statement from the District of Arizona.

The three allegedly purchased a total of 102 firearms from 14 licensed dealers throughout the Phoenix metro area, the statement said. Oliver then sold the firearms to people known and unknown in Arizona and elsewhere.

Additionally, the indictment charges Oliver with dealing firearms without a license.

“Evidence shows that illegally-trafficked firearms go hand-in-hand with violent criminal acts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Glenn McCormick.

“The District of Arizona remains steadfast in its commitment to work with law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who fuel dangerous offenses by violating federal firearms laws.”

Convictions for conspiracy, false statement during the purchase of a firearm, and dealing firearms without a license, are each punishable by a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, or both, and a term of supervised release of three years.

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