ABINGDON, VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Virginia, Western), published as received.
ABINGDON, Va. – A Pound, Virginia man, who illegally sold firearms without a license was sentenced yesterday to eight months in federal prison.
James Michael Boggs, 66, pleaded guilty in March 2021 to one count of willfully engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license.
According to court documents, in October 2019 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation of firearm sales at the Indian Mountain Trade Center to identify and monitor individuals who appeared to be in the business of dealing firearms without a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Investigators with the ATF observed Boggs, and others, regularly selling firearms to Trade Center attendees. During the time of these sales, Boggs did not possess a Federal Firearms License, which is required to engage in the business of dealing firearms.
Boggs sold firearms to an undercover agent on three occasions, including nine handguns, a shotgun, and an AR-style rifle. During their interactions, the undercover agent told Boggs that the agent would be transporting the firearms to Newport News, Virginia to resell them to individuals who could not legally purchase firearms.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Virginia State Police investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary T. Lee and Whit D. Pierce prosecuted the case for the United States.
