A woman from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court for purchasing firearms on behalf of another individual, a practice known as straw purchasing. Barbara Miller, 33, received a sentence of time served followed by one year of home detention for three convictions related to federal firearms law violations.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon handed down the sentence on October 16, 2025. The sentencing took place after a government shutdown that lasted 43 days.
Court records indicate that Miller bought firearms from several federally licensed dealers on three occasions in 2020 within the Western District of Pennsylvania. She falsely claimed she was buying the guns for herself when she was actually purchasing them for someone else.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher prosecuted the case. First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti acknowledged the investigative work done by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. “First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Miller.”
