Clearfield Man Accused of Providing False Information to Purchase Firearm in Brookville

BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – A Clearfield man has been accused of providing false information to purchase a firearm at a sporting goods store in Brookville, Jefferson County.

According to court documents, 27-year-old Joshua David Coble, of Clearfield, is facing third degree felony and related charges for providing a false written statement.

According to a criminal complaint, around September 15, 2015, Officer Gallagher of Brookville Borough Police Department, reviewed a case from the Pennsylvania State Police Troop C regarding a criminal investigation that allegedly stated Coble attempted to purchase a firearm from a sporting goods store in Brookville.

The complaint states that on the application/record of sale, Coble checked “no” on the question that was asked “if the buyer has ever been convicted of a crime that has a minimum sentence of one year, which would be a misdemeanor.”

It was discovered on further research of the criminal history for Coble that he was charged by PSP Clearfield and pleaded guilty to “theft by unlawful taking” (which is a Misdemeanor 1 and carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail), the complaint indicates.

Coble was denied the purchase of the firearm, which was a Smith & Wesson 4043 40 Cal., the complaint continues.

Officer Gallagher made efforts to contact Coble via a letter, in addition to contacting PSP Clearfield. The department has not had any response, according to the complaint.

Therefore, Officer Gallagher filed a criminal complaint with District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak’s office.

Coble faces the following charges:

• Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, Misdemeanor 2
• Materially false written statement – purchase, delivery, transfer of firearm, Felony 3

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on December 3 in front of District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak.