Lebanon City police have arrested a man in connection with the straw purchases of 12 different handguns between March and April of 2013.
Hector Espada-Jimenez, of Lebanon, is charged with dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy and criminal solicitation to violate the firearms act by providing false information during the sale or transfer of a weapon.
According to police reports, Espada-Jimenez solicited two other men to purchase handguns from licensed firearm retailers in Lancaster and Berks counties.
He allegedly paid the men in cash or controlled substances.
Police have been able to recover two of the 12 guns in Philadelphia and New York City.
Espada-Jimenez is was arrested and taken to Lebanon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $300,000.
The investigation was in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force and the Lebanon City Police Department.