Lehigh Times

A Luzerne County constable has been charged with straw purchasing 22 firearms for a convicted felon, according to an April 28 announcement by Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

On Thursday, April 28, Sidney Snelling, 48, of Wilkes-Barre, was arrested by members of the Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Section, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Luzerne County Detective Bureau and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

“Court officers hold positions of public trust – and we believe this defendant violated that public trust and broke the law by purchasing firearms for a convicted felon,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “There are serious consequences for straw purchasing, and our Gun Violence Section works every day with our local and federal law enforcement partners to follow up on these guns and hold straw purchasers accountable across Pennsylvania.”

According to the release, an investigation found that Snelling illegally bought the firearms for someone who was not allowed to possess them. Snelling’s car and residence were searched where nine firearms, ammunition and outlaw motorcycle vests were seized, as well.

Special Agent in Charge for HSI William S. Walker said that Snelling allegedly breached the trust of the public he was elected to protect. He said that buying guns for convicted felons is a clear danger to the community.

“Law enforcement partnerships, like the multi-agency collaboration brought to bear in this case, are crucial as we work together to identify and apprehend those who straw purchase firearms for prohibited persons,” said Walker.

Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce expressed how proud his department is of the work of the detectives involved as well as the Attorney General’s office.

“We are relieved to have removed a criminal from the streets who held himself out as a member of law enforcement, but had actually supplied firearms to drug traffickers and gang members,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce. “Our county is unquestionably safer as a result of this investigation and arrest.”

Matthew Varisco, who is the special agent in charge of ATF Philadelphia Field Division, said that they will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners at every level to identify straw purchasers in an effort to curb violence.

“When firearms are purchased on behalf of those who are prohibited from possessing them, it poses immense danger to the community,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. 

Snelling faces 5 to 10 years in state prison as state law through the Brad Fox Mandatory Minimum, which calls for that amount of time for anyone who straw purchased two or more firearms. The investigation is ongoing, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by the Luzerne County District Attorney Office.