INDIANAPOLIS — A Columbus man will spend more than three years in federal prison for trafficking more than 320 firearms.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, a U.S. District Court judge sentenced William Beard, 58, of Columbus, to spend 41 months in federal prison for unlicensed firearms dealing and falsification of records in bankruptcy.
Federal prosecutors said beginning in early 2013 and continuing through October 2017, Beard engaged in systematic unlicensed firearms dealing that resulted in the illegal sale or transfer of over 320 guns. Beard profited significantly from those illegal sales, prosecutors said.
"Beard's illegal activities introduced hundreds of firearms into the underground gun economy," U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said. "At least 23 of those guns were recovered from crime scenes in Indianapolis neighborhoods. This office will continue to investigate, arrest and prosecute those who illegally put guns on the streets of our district."
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, on numerous occasions, Beard conducted "multiple sale" transactions in which he bought multiple firearms on the same day or within several days of one another. Prosecutors said Beard sold, traded or otherwise disposed of all but a handful of the more than 320 firearms he bought. Beard reportedly sold the guns at various locations, including numerous gun/trade shows throughout Indiana.
Prosecutors said Beard never conducted a background check or completed the required ATF paperwork that is required.
In June 2018, Beard filed a chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. Prosecutors said he failed to disclose income he made from selling and trading firearms. He also did not disclose that he had been criminally indicted.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
"Selling firearms illegally is just as much a crime as using them illegally," Roland Herndon, special agent in charge of the ATF's Columbus Field Division, said. "William Beard bought hundreds of firearms, and then sold them without a license. Several of those firearms later showed up in crimes. By diverting firearms from legal to illegal commerce, by helping certain individuals avoid records and background checks, Beard is responsible for fueling violence in our community. Now, he will not be able to purchase firearms, and his role in feeding the violence is at an end."
