Former Kansas City fire captain pleads guilty to illegally selling dozens of guns
A former Kansas City Fire Department captain pleaded guilty to illegally selling dozens of guns, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced Monday.
James Samuels, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, four counts of selling firearms and ammunition to persons prohibited by law from possessing them, and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm.
According to prosecutors, Samuels admitted he purchased 77 firearms from November 2013 to August 2018. Samuels, who was not a licensed dealer, transferred 47 of the guns to third parties. He made a $40 to $50 profit per firearm.
Ten to 20 of the guns were sold to people forbidden to possess firearms.
“Our gun laws exist to make it hard for violent criminals to obtain the tools of their trade,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Garrison said in a statement. “Felons, illegal aliens, domestic abusers, drug users, and other prohibited persons cannot purchase or possess firearms — unless someone breaks the law to put guns in their hands. These criminals may not pull the trigger, but they profit by making violent crime possible in our neighborhoods.”
Samuels was arrested in October 2018 after he sold a revolver to a confidential informant whom he knew was a felon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Police executed a search warrant at Samuels’ residence and seized 28 firearms and about 12,000 rounds of ammunition.
Samuels has been in federal custody since his arrest. Sentencing has not been scheduled. He faces up to 60 years in federal prison without parole.
