David Joseph Mull, a 52-year-old resident of North Vernon, Indiana, has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for unlicensed dealing in firearms. Following his prison term, Mull will undergo two years of supervised release. The sentencing follows Mull's guilty plea to charges related to selling firearms without the necessary federal license.
Court documents reveal that Mull engaged in the illegal sale of hundreds of firearms despite receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in 2016. This letter informed him of the requirement to obtain a federal firearms license (FFL) for conducting such business. Ignoring this warning, Mull continued his operations by purchasing guns from private sellers at gun shows nationwide rather than from licensed dealers.
Mull's primary customer was involved in illegal firearms trafficking across state lines, with many weapons eventually reaching Mexico. Between 2019 and 2023, he sold over 500 firearms to this individual for approximately $350,000. These transactions included semiautomatic handguns and rifles resembling AR and AK models. Court records indicate that Mull was aware or should have been aware that these weapons would be transported from Indianapolis to New York City before reaching Mexico.
In addition to these sales, Mull operated an online business where he sold around 800 firearms throughout the United States for $174,142 during the same period.
"Illegal firearms dealers deliberately bypass background checks and record-keeping laws intended to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands," said John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "This sentence underscores our commitment to prosecuting all those involved in gun trafficking networks."
Thomas A. Greco, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division stated: "Anyone who engages in the business of selling firearms is required to have a license and follow regulations ensuring those firearms are not going to individuals who are prohibited from possessing them."
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II imposing the sentence. Acting U.S. Attorney Childress expressed gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey L. Massa for prosecuting the case.