Jury convicts Jefferson City man of lying in gun purchase attempts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A federal jury convicted a Jefferson City man Monday of providing false information while unsuccessfully trying to purchase guns on two occasions.

Joshua M. Lehman, 35, was convicted of two counts of making false statements in a federal record provided to a gun dealer.

Lehman tried to buy a Ruger 9 mm pistol at Bob's Guns on Dec. 29, 2017, and tried to buy a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun at Dunham's Sports on Feb. 15, 2018, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office. However, Lehman claimed in applying for the purchases that he had not been committed to a mental institution, which was false, the release says.

A national background check system flagged Lehman's statements and the purchases were denied, according to the U.S. attorney. Lehman's mother contacted the Cole County Sheriff's Office through a lawyer because she believed her son was dangerous and had been attempting to buy a gun, the release says.

The jury deliberated for about 40 minutes before reaching its verdict in the one-day trial, according to the release.

Lehman could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison without parole. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.