Gun dealer to plead guilty, agrees not to sell weapons

WILLIAMSPORT — A Centre County licensed firearms dealer has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal charge and agreed to a permanent injunction that prevents him from selling or transferring weapons and ammunition.

Vernon R. Jodon, 60, of Spring Mills, was charged Thursday in U.S. Middle District Court by criminal information with fraudulently selling firearms by failing to maintain required records.

Jodon has agreed to plead guilty and the government will recommend he be placed on probation, according to court records. The maximum sentence for the crime is one year.

Jodon, when contacted Friday at his Spring Mills store, Jodon’s Country Place, referred questions to his attorney, Andrew Shubin. Shubin could not be reached Friday.

The criminal charge is related to the prosecution of Timothy T. Meyers, 46, who has admitted in court he obtained firearms illegally between 2004 and March 2006.

Meyers, who as a convicted felon may not possess firearms, said when he pleaded guilty that he bought about 12 weapons in a conspiracy with Jodon.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms launched an investigation in April 2006 after getting a tip Meyers possessed weapons.

Government agents recovered weapons parts and ammunition when they executed a search warrant at Meyers’ house on Aug. 18, 2006, after a Centre County deputy sheriff discovered two weapons, according to court statements.

Meyers obtained weapons through straw purchases and third parties with Jodon’s help, despite Jodon knowing prior to 2004 that Meyers was prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearm, the criminal information alleges.

Meyers admitted between January and March 2006 he ordered two weapons from a magazine, used Jodon’s federal firearms license number and had them delivered to Jodon’s business. Meyers then bought the weapons using a third party.

On Feb. 2, 2006, Jodon is accused of delivering to a gunsmith two firearms with instructions to customize them as directed by Meyers.

The civil action includes a stipulation that allows a judge to enter a permanent injunction prohibiting Jodon from again dealing firearms or seeking a license to do so.