Local Woman One Of First Convicted Under PA's New Straw Purchase Law
By Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Delaware County woman who purchased two hand guns for a convicted felon is now facing a minimum of five years in jail.
This is one of the first convictions under a newly enacted straw purchase law in Pennsylvania.
The "Brad Fox Law" was passed last year after the Montgomery County police officer was killed in the line of duty by a man using a gun he received through straw purchases. And under that law, a person convicted of illegally giving a gun to another person will spend at least five years in a state penitentiary.
Now, 22-year-old Staci Dawson of Chester, who purchased a 40 caliber and a nine millimeter handgun for her convicted felon ex-boyfriend, was found guilty of illegally transferring firearms.
"This is really like a landmark case here," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan says. "It's certainly the first in Delaware County, but it could be the first conviction under the new law in the state of Pennsylvania."
Whelan says they took a zero tolerance approach during this trial.
"We took the position that there were going to be no negotiations in this particular case, we were offering no plea bargains."
Dawson's sentencing is scheduled for November 3rd.
