The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Lancaster man indicted in Las Vegas for firearms offenses

by The AV Times Staff • November 8, 2021

A Lancaster man made his initial federal court appearance Friday in Las Vegas for allegedly making false statements in connection with the unlawful purchase of multiple firearms and selling the firearms without a license.

Kenneth Earl Smith Jr., 28, allegedly engaged in dealing firearms without a firearms business license from about May 13 last year to about Aug. 17, 2021, according to the indictment.

During the purchase of 19 firearms from licensed dealers in Las Vegas, Smith allegedly made false statements on ATF transactions records.

Prosecutors contend he represented that he was the buyer of the firearms, when in fact he was acquiring the firearms on behalf of other persons. Smith likewise represented that he was a Nevada resident, when in fact he was a California resident, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Las Vegas.

Smith is charged with eight counts of illegal acquisition of a firearm and one count of engaging in the firearms business without a license. A jury trial has been scheduled for Jan. 3. If convicted of all charges, Smith faces up to 90 years in prison, prosecutors said.

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Los Angeles County

5 comments for "Lancaster man indicted in Las Vegas for firearms offenses"

  1. Kayla Smith says

    November 22, 2021 at 8:39 am

    These people are nuts a young man 90 years for not even shooting a gun off this will be interesting. All this time in jail for a misunderstanding. Wicked world we live in. God always does what’s right may not be immediately but innocent people don’t get bad judgments. A bad choice doesn’t change the rest of your life til you die. It’ll be alright.

  2. Kay says

    November 9, 2021 at 10:02 am

    Sounds super fishy 19 transactions allegedly and 8 charges one being a charge in engaging without a license. Whistle Blowers where y’all at?

    • Tim Scott says

      November 9, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Sounds like a fairly typical straw buyer case. It’s unfortunate how hard a straw buyer case is to prove, so we’ll have to see where this goes.

    • GunsAren'tUs says

      November 10, 2021 at 8:21 am

      Perhaps he purchased 2 or 3 ‘guns’ in a single purchase which result in a one charge instead of one per gun? I don’t know if each gun requires it’s own instant check or if only one is required per cash register event.

      • Tim Scott says

        November 10, 2021 at 9:44 am

        The rest of the guns might have been for his own use, or at least not easy to prove that they were for resale. Could easily be just the typical dumb gun guy who made no secret of “I’ma go to Nevada and buy me some guns, you want anything?” then walked into the gun shop with a list of what to get for who in his hand.

Recent Comments

  • Alby impersonating a durex or such on Newsom joins Oregon, Washington in pact to ensure abortion access: “my name was supposed to be Mister Trojan… Dammit.” Jun 26, 16:37
  • Alby on Newsom joins Oregon, Washington in pact to ensure abortion access: “Nobody seems to consider using me lately. Are the instructions on the wrappers difficult to read? Am I pricier than…” Jun 26, 16:35
  • Stinger on Newsom joins Oregon, Washington in pact to ensure abortion access: “Alright, BeeEss, let’s see what ya got, here… In your opinion (yes, I said opinion, so feel free to go…” Jun 26, 11:22
  • Stinger on Newsom joins Oregon, Washington in pact to ensure abortion access: “…and blame everyone but themselves, of course! I mean, why actually look at a problem and seek a real solution…” Jun 26, 11:11
  • Alby on Newsom joins Oregon, Washington in pact to ensure abortion access: “And condoms should be considered prison camps.” Jun 26, 09:36

Copyright © 2022 · The AV Times LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use