Courts. (Credit: Tingey Law Firm)
Former Norristown resident Joseph M. Rudnitskas admits to straw purchases and trading firearms for narcotics
A Lansdale man has pleaded guilty to his role in a straw purchase scheme in which he illegally acquired firearms and traded them for drugs and now faces up to 44 years in prison.
Joseph M. Rudnitskas, 35, of East Main Street, admitted to buying four handguns while living in Norristown, then transferring them to an unidentified individual in exchange for narcotics, according to The Mercury.
Authorities said the purchases occurred between December 2021 and March 2022 and involved false information on state firearm sale forms.
The scheme unraveled in March 2022 when Rudnitskas reported to Norristown police that four guns had been stolen from his home, according to the article. Detectives grew suspicious as no other items were taken or disturbed.
Under further questioning, Rudnitskas confessed that he had lied and intentionally purchased the guns for someone else who was not legally permitted to buy firearms. In return, he received marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine as payment, authorities said.
Rudnitskas told investigators he bought the first weapon with the help of a man known only by a nickname and later handed it over at his Norristown residence.
A few months later, he said three other individuals brought him to the same gun store to purchase three additional handguns, which he also transferred illegally in return for drugs per the report.
Defense lawyer Carol Ann Sweeney represented Rudnitskas.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
