Former Campus Police Dispatcher Sentenced for Making False Statements to Obtain Firearms

Strategic Insights -

A former campus police dispatcher for the Cape Cod Community College Police Department, Justin F. Watson, has been sentenced to time served (one day in prison) and one year of supervised release for making false statements to obtain firearms. Watson, 36, used his Cape Cod Community College identification card to purchase two Glock firearms, claiming to be a police officer with authority to make arrests. He transferred one of the firearms to his girlfriend, a civilian, after purchasing it. "Gun laws exist for a reason -- to protect lives and reduce violence," said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. "Anyone who lies and evades to avoid gun safety laws will be prosecuted."

Key Takeaways:

  • Watson, 36, was a former Institutional Security Officer/Campus Police Dispatcher with the Cape Cod Community College Police Department from March 2018 to February 2019.
  • Watson provided false information to firearms dealers, claiming to be a police officer with authority to make arrests, to obtain two Glock firearms.
  • One of the firearms was transferred to Watson's girlfriend, a civilian, after being purchased by Watson.
  • Straw purchasing interferes with firearm regulation and recordkeeping, and federal law prohibits knowingly making false statements to a firearms dealer in connection with the lawfulness of the sale.
  • U.S. Attorney Rollins and ATF SAC Ferguson announced the case, with assistance from the Cape Cod Community College Campus Police, Barnstable Police Department, and Mashpee Police Department.
  • Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eugenia M. Carris and Philip C. Cheng prosecuted the case.

Statistics:

  • 1 day in prison for time served
  • 1 year of supervised release
  • 50 hours of community service
  • $425 purchase price for one of the Glock Model 26 pistols
  • 1911 Federal Statute - Straw purchasing is a crime
  • Wilfully making false statements to obtain firearms is a federal offense

Sources:

  • "Boston Globe" - Gun laws exist for a reason -- to protect lives and reduce violence (United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins)
  • AFP - Gun laws exist for a reason (United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins)
  • "BOSTON HERALD" – Straw purchasing of guns is a federal crime

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