Surpirse Felon Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms
PHOENIX – On May 15, 2012, James Arthur Lewis, 34, of Surprise, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 87 months in federal prison. Lewis pleaded guilty on Jan. 3, 2012, to felon in possession of firearms.
This case stems from Operation Storefront, which was an undercover operation conducted at a west valley secondhand shop. According to the plea agreement, on Sept. 24, 2010, Lewis sold 11 firearms to undercover agents and officers. Lewis was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony convictions. Lewis had obtained most of the firearms during residential burglaries he committed in late 2010. Lewis has pleaded guilty to the burglaries in the Maricopa County Superior Court. He is awaiting sentencing on those charges.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Kendra Campbell, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-11-00407-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2012-124(Lewis)
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