(KIWA) — A Hull man has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison after obtaining a firearm through a straw purchase made by his then-girlfriend.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 36-year-old Joseph Garlic was sentenced for possession of a firearm as a felon. Andrea Harrington, 44, of Sioux City, received a three-month prison sentence for transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.
Both will serve terms of supervised release after completing their prison sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
False Statements on Federal Firearm Form
According to court documents and evidence presented in the case, Harrington purchased the firearm for Garlic on March 7, 2023, even though his felony conviction prohibited him from possessing a gun.
When completing an ATF Form 4473, Harrington falsely stated that she was the actual buyer and denied unlawfully using controlled substances. She admitted lying on the form. Court documents and evidence indicated she had previously used the same method to purchase a firearm for Garlic without being detected.
Loaded Handgun Recovered During Medical Emergency
On August 25, 2024, Harrington reported Garlic’s armed and violent behavior to a park ranger at Hillview Recreation Area in Hinton. Officers found a gun box at their campsite, but Garlic and the firearm were gone.
Three days later, emergency personnel responded to a medical emergency involving Garlic at a Sioux City store.
According to the case information, Garlic handed the loaded handgun to Harrington to conceal it because he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Responding officers recovered the weapon from Harrington’s waistband.
The investigation resulted in federal prison sentences for both Garlic and Harrington.
