
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991                   TAG: 9103070372
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PAIR ADMITS GUN CHARGES

Two Maryland men pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of using false information to buy guns and ammunition at two Roanoke-area gun shops.

David Jose Robinson and Paul Lamont Adams admitted in U.S. District Court in Roanoke that they bought two handguns, three assault-type weapons and 100 rounds of ammunition by using a false state Department of Motor Vehicles identification card.

Donald Harris, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, testified Wednesday that Adams, of Landover Hills, Md., traveled to a Roanoke gun shop on Dec. 10 to inquire about buying guns. Adams was told he could not purchase them because he was a Maryland resident.

On Dec. 19, Robinson obtained a Virginia DMV identification card that listed his residency as Alexandria, when he actually lived in Lanham, Md., Harris said.

On Dec. 20, Robinson, Adams and a third man - later identified as a juvenile - came to Roanoke to purchase the guns. They were arrested at a Roanoke County gun shop.

Robinson and Adams were indicted by a grand jury in January. Robinson was charged with conspiracy to furnish false identification to firearms dealers, conspiracy to transfer firearms to be used in drug trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Adams was charged with illegal firearms possession as a fugitive, with conspiracy to furnish false identification to firearms dealers and with conspiring to transfer firearms to be used in drug trafficking.

But under a plea agreement reached in court Wednesday, Robinson and Adams pleaded guilty only to the conspiracy charge of furnishing false identification, in exchange for having the remaining charges dropped.

Charges against the juvenile were dismissed.

Authorities alleged that the three were buying guns and ammunition to sell to drug dealers. One type of gun they purchased - Tec-9, 9mm pistols - is common to the drug trade.

Robinson and Adams each face a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

by CNB