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MIFFLINTOWN -- A Harrisburg man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after Pennsylvania State Police allege he provided false information while attempting to obtain a firearm in Juniata County.
Stephen Gerald Neely, 68, is charged with one felony count of making a false written statement in connection with the sale or transfer of a firearm and one misdemeanor count of making a false statement under penalty, according to court records.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Pennsylvania State Police at Lewistown, Neely attempted to obtain a Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol through a transfer at Schlegel's Grocery and Hardware along Route 333 in Delaware Township at about 11:50 a.m. Feb. 14.
Police said the investigation began after PSP Lewistown received correspondence May 21 from the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification Firearms Division regarding the attempted transaction. The information provided to investigators indicated a potential federal firearms prohibition based on a prior conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
According to the affidavit, Neely completed a federal Firearms Transaction Record, or ATF Form 4473, as part of the attempted transfer. Police allege Neely answered "no" when asked whether he had ever been convicted of a felony or another crime for which a judge could have imprisoned him for more than one year. He signed the form certifying that his answers were true, correct and complete, police said.
Police said Neely also completed a Pennsylvania State Police Application/Record of Sale form and answered "no" when asked whether he was currently charged with or had ever been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. He also signed that form verifying the information he provided was true and correct, according to the affidavit.
Investigators allege a review of Neely's criminal history and Dauphin County court records showed he was convicted Jan. 8, 1992, of carrying a firearm without a license and was sentenced to two days to 23 months of confinement.
Based on that information, police allege Neely provided false information on the documents while attempting to obtain the firearm.
An arrest warrant was issued July 15. Court records show Neely was arraigned Aug. 7 and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
The case remains active. A preliminary hearing, which has been continued twice, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 28 before Magisterial District Judge Tracy L. Powell.