Californian who sold guns on streets sent to federal prison

Federal prosecutors say the crimes committed by Edward Jameson Purry II left more than 70 guns on the streets and placed communities in danger for years to come.

Purry, 30, a private security officer, was sentenced Monday to 8½ years in federal prison as a result of his jury conviction for unlawfully buying firearms in Las Vegas and Reno and reselling them on the streets of Oakland, Calif., and to a Mexican weapons trafficker.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey also ordered Purry, who lives in Oakland, to serve three years of supervised release after prison.

"He knew what he was doing and he created a significant public safety issue by his actions," Dorsey said.

Some of the guns Purry resold wound up being used by felons in violent crimes, as well as a 2014 attempted shooting of an Oakland police officer, according to prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Smith Jr. described Purry's conduct in court and in a sentencing memorandum as "reckless" and "nothing short of egregious."

"The ramifications and consequences of the defendant's actions may continue on for years — even decades — long after this case is over and the defendant is released from prison," Smith wrote in court papers.

Purry, who is in federal custody, did not appear to show remorse in court, saying he was a good caretaker and wage-earner for his family and had never been in trouble with the law before.

"I'm not the horrible person they're making me out to be," he told the judge.

Dorsey declined to sentence Purry to a stiffer 13-year prison term sought by Smith, who argued his crimes were "bigger than him" because of their impact on society.

Smith said Purry made more than $92,000 reselling 90 firearms, many of which were equipped with "high-capacity magazines." The transactions mostly occurred in 2013.

"He sold guns to every Tom, Dick and Harry who wanted to buy them," Smith said.

Purry was convicted by a federal jury in Las Vegas in March of four counts of illegal acquisition of firearms from local gun dealers.

He shipped many of the weapons back to himself in Oakland under aliases, according to prosecutors.

In an interview with federal firearms agents, Purry admitted that he knew the weapons were going to land in the wrong hands, prosecutors argued.

He also told agents he sold guns to a man he identified as "Pablo," who transported them to Mexico, according to prosecutors.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Find him on Twitter: @JGermanRJ