NEW ALBANY – A North Vernon man has been convicted on two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, following a two-day jury trial in federal court in New Albany.
Wayne Komsi III, 58, North Vernon, was found guilty in the case, according to U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. Presiding at the trial was U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing gun violence by keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing firearms,” said Minkler. “If you choose to lie and buy firearms, you will be prosecuted fully under federal law.”
On Dec. 13, 2017, Komsi pleaded guilty to a felony in Jennings County, and as a term of that felony plea, he was prohibited from possessing firearms, according to court records. Although he had a pending felony out of Jennings County, Komsi attended an auction on March 3, 2018, where he purchased 21 firearms, court records state.
In order to get those 21 firearms transferred into his possession, Komsi falsely indicated on three Firearms Transaction Records, March 6, March 20, and April 3, 2018, that he was not prohibited from possessing firearms.
At the time he filled out each form, Komsi was, in fact, prohibited from possessing firearms because of the felony charge of resisting law enforcement. Additionally, Komsi fraudulently filled out a Firearms Transaction Record on May 26, 2018 in an attempt to purchase an additional firearm.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
Initiated in 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to communities.
