Erie Man Sentenced To Probation, Community Service For Bringing Guns Into U.S.
ERIE, Pa. ‑ A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 2 years of probation, a $4000 fine, and 150 hours of community service on his conviction of entry of goods into the United States by means of false statements, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin imposed the sentence on James Lewis Bindeman, 42.
According to information presented to the court, Bindeman entered and introduced approximately eleven firearms into the commerce of the United States by means of false statements.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge McLaughlin stated that the offense, "smuggling a small arsenal of weapons out of a war zone" was a "very serious matter" and showed "shockingly bad judgment." However, Judge McLaughlin noted that before this offense, Bindeman had previously "served his country well and honorably."
Assistant United States Attorney Christine A. Sanner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bindeman.
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