JOHNSTOWN —
A Clearfield County man has pleaded guilty to stealing 72 guns from a Blair County gun store from which he was fired, which he sold to buy prescription painkillers.
Thirty-five-year-old Justin McElheny, of Irvona, faces sentencing June 27 before the same federal judge in Johnstown before whom he pleaded guilty Tuesday.
McElheny was fired from East Coast Gun Sales near Altoona – which has since gone out of business – in October 2011. State authorities charged him the following July with stealing 21 guns and money from the store and using customers’ credit cards to buy guns.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took over the investigation and McElheny was eventually charged with stealing 72 weapons since December 2007.
McElheny was allowed to remain free until he’s sentenced.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
