Indicted Man Charged with Firearm 'Lie and Try'

A Dallas man has been charged with lying during two attempted firearms purchases, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.

Steven Royal, 29, was indicted this week on two counts of attempted acquisition of firearm from a licensed dealer by false statement, colloquially known as "lie and try."

According to the indictment, Mr. Royal lied during attempted firearm purchases at pawn shops in Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas.

On ATF Form 4473, he stated that he was not under indictment for any felony. In fact, he was facing charges of aggravated assault of a family member with a deadly weapon and sexual assault of a child in Texas. Those cases are pending trial.

Neither purchase – one a Taurus .22 caliber pistol, the other a Rough Rider .22 caliber revolver – went through.

"Whether or not Mr. Royal physically possessed the firearm was inconsequential here. He knew he wasn't allowed to possess firearms, however allegedly tried the system anyways. That system worked as designed and prevented the illegal purchase. ATF and its law enforcement partners remain committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of those that should not have them," stated ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Royal is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Read is prosecuting the case.