S.I. Man Accused Of Illegally Obtaining Handguns
NEW YORK -- A Staten Island man was arrested Wednesday on charges of using a restricted federal firearms license to illegally obtain handguns, investigators told WNBC.com.
Julius Bowens, 37, was issued a type of federal firearms license in March, 2007 which allowed him to collect only specific firearms of special interest to collectors, investigators said.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' Joint Firearms Task Force discovered Bowens bid on and acquired handguns not covered by his federal firearms license, ATF Special Agent in Charge William McMahon said.
Investigators said Bowens tried to purchase a handgun from a person in Florida who notified the ATF when he realized Bowens did not have the proper license.
According to the ATF, task force investigators identified a licensed gun dealer in Florida who received an order from Bowens for .380 caliber and 9 millimeter handguns -- weapons not covered by Bowens' license. With the knowledge of the ATF, the dealer shipped the weapons to Bowens after receiving payment.
Members of the task force executed a search warrant at Bowens' residence on Tuesday and seized ten handguns, 600 rounds of ammunition, a laptop computer, documents and two ballistic vests, law enforcement sources said.
At his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court, Bowens was released on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond, investigators said.
NEW YORK -- A Staten Island man was arrested Wednesday on charges of using a restricted federal firearms license to illegally obtain handguns, investigators told WNBC.com.
Julius Bowens, 37, was issued a type of federal firearms license in March, 2007 which allowed him to collect only specific firearms of special interest to collectors, investigators said.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' Joint Firearms Task Force discovered Bowens bid on and acquired handguns not covered by his federal firearms license, ATF Special Agent in Charge William McMahon said.
Investigators said Bowens tried to purchase a handgun from a person in Florida who notified the ATF when he realized Bowens did not have the proper license.
According to the ATF, task force investigators identified a licensed gun dealer in Florida who received an order from Bowens for .380 caliber and 9 millimeter handguns -- weapons not covered by Bowens' license. With the knowledge of the ATF, the dealer shipped the weapons to Bowens after receiving payment.
Members of the task force executed a search warrant at Bowens' residence on Tuesday and seized ten handguns, 600 rounds of ammunition, a laptop computer, documents and two ballistic vests, law enforcement sources said.
At his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court, Bowens was released on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond, investigators said.