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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 30, 1993                   TAG: 9306300190
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DEALER ADMITS ILLEGAL GUN SALES

The owner of a pawn shop in Clifton Forge faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison after pleading guilty to making illegal weapons sales and possessing an ounce of cocaine, his attorney said.

Oliver Franklin "Butch" Reid Jr., a licensed firearms dealer who operates Oliver's Trading Co. and EZ Money Pawn Shop, entered the plea Monday before his federal jury trial was to begin in Roanoke. He will remain free on $25,000 bond until his sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 16.

Reid admitted selling five semiautomatic pistols to an undercover informant who told Reid he was a felon, according to court documents. Reid also illegally sold semiautomatic pistols to a person from outside Virginia.

Reid told two informants equipped with electronic recording and transmitting devices that they could get around paperwork requirements and that "he does this all the time with other purchases," according to a statement by Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent Thomas P. Gallagher.

The ATF began investigating Reid in October 1992, and the illegal weapons sales took place during the following three months. The cocaine was found when agents searched Reid's business in February.

Reid's attorney, Robert F. Rider of Roanoke, said Tuesday that Reid faced one to three years in prison according to federal sentencing guidelines.

by CNB