A retired judge who lives in Grove City, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms law.

Karl Alexander, age 78, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer in United States District Court.

Alexander, who is an attorney, was an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration in Morgantown, West Virginia until 2018,

Investigators say Alexander made a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer when buying a Ruger AR-15 style rifle.

Alexander admitted that he lied on an ATF form by answering “Yes” to the question: “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm listed on this form?” In fact, Alexander was purchasing the firearm for a convicted felon, Dennis Alan Riggs.

Alexander admitted that Riggs was with him for the purchase and that Riggs picked out the rifle and paid Alexander for the firearm.

 Alexander also admitted he agreed to purchase the weapon because of their relationship.

Riggs was charged by complaint on January 22, 2020, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. His case is pending.

When Alexander is sentenced in July, he could face a ten-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine.