KANSAS CITY — The former Linn County sheriff and a Pleasanton man pleaded guilty Monday to federal firearms violations. Former sheriff Barry Walker, Mound City, pleaded guilty to one count of allowing a convicted felon to possess firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. Jeffrey Nicholas, Pleasanton pleaded guilty to one count of possessing firearms and ammunition after a felony conviction. They admitted that Nicholas, who had been convicted of a felony drug charge in Clark County, Nevada, sold firearms at Big Bear’s Gifts & Pawn Shop in Pleasanton, which was owned by Walker, Grissom said. Federal inspectors became aware Walker was allowing Nicholas to handle firearms and sales during a compliance inspection at the shop in November 2011. Grissom said Walker was informed about the violation and agreed to prevent Nicholas from having any further access to firearms. Later, Walker told federal agents Nicholas wasn’t handling any firearms sales and that Walker was handling all firearms sales. However, Grissom said that over two years, undercover Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents bought guns from Nicholas, who would leave the forms for Walker to sign. Sentencing will be later.
Tuesday, June 3, 3 p.m.
