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A Buffalo woman who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor conspiracy charges has been sentenced to probation and a ban on purchasing firearms under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968.
Julia Rose Carter, 33, of Buffalo, had been charged with 12 counts of third-degree felony materially false written statement – purchase, delivery, transfer of firearm; 12 counts of loans on, or lending, giving firearms prohibited; and 12 counts of statement under penalty. Several of the charges had been changed, with none of the felony charges prosecuted, before Carter pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy - loans on, or lending, giving firearms prohibited and conspiracy - statement under penalty.
Carter was sentenced recently by Judge Todd Woodin in the Court of Common Pleas to two years of probation to satisfy the guilty plea to conspiracy – loans on or lending, giving firearms prohibited and one year of probation to satisfy the guilty plea to conspiracy – statement under penalty. The sentencing also included a notice to Carter regarding the Gun Control Act of 1968. In Pennsylvania criminal and domestic relations proceedings, such notices inform the defendant of federal and state firearm bans triggered by certain convictions, mental health commitments or protective orders. The Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it illegal for individuals to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition if they fall into prohibited categories--such as being convicted of a felony crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, being a fugitive, being an unlawful user of controlled substances or being subject to certain qualifying domestic violence Protection from Abuse orders. Violating a firearm restriction or failing to relinquish weapons as ordered can lead to new felony or misdemeanor charges under Pennsylvania state law.
While Carter was sentenced to probation, both misdemeanor charges to which she pleaded guilty are punishable by more than a year in prison. The maximum penalty for first-degree misdemeanor conspiracy loans on, or lending, giving firearms prohibited is up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The maximum punishment for third-degree misdemeanor conspiracy - statement under penalty, a charge that is punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500.
Alexander E. Jones, 33, and Carter were charged after a domestic incident in February led Warren police officers to get the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms involved in what was allegedly a series of straw purchases of firearms from two Warren businesses.
Warren police began the investigation after a verbal domestic incident on Feb. 18, between Carter and Jones. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by police, Carter allegedly told police Jones was threatening her because she was unwilling to purchase another firearm for him. When police questioned Carter, she said she had already purchased five firearms for Jones at Dunham’s Sports and Tall Tales Sporting Goods in Warren. There is allegedly video evidence of two of the purchases at Dunham’s Sports.
“Carter also stated that Jones transported the firearms to Rochester and Buffalo, New York, and sold them,” the Affidavit of Probable Cause states. “Officers did view a money transaction from Jones to Carter on Jones’s cellular device that stated Dunham’s. It should be noted, body camera footage was obtained from the officer who handled this incident.”
The case was referred to a Pennsylvania State Trooper who is a sworn task force officer for the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives based in Erie. The trooper said in March, he obtained required state and federal paperwork that had been completed by Carter for firearms purchases from March 18, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026 – after Warren police were made aware of the prior five purchases in Warren County.
“Shortly after the domestic disturbance, it was discovered Carter purchased an additional firearm on February 28, 2026, after she was advised by law enforcement that (what) she was doing was against the law and considered ‘straw’ purchasing,” the affidavit states.