Woman Bought Guns For Felon Who Sold Them For Drugs: Delco DA

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Two Delaware County residents are facing straw purchase-related charges after authorities said they were planning to

Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said Donald Desanctis, Jr., 29, and Danielle Marie Pawlowski, 29, were charged in a conspiracy to straw purchase and then illegally transfer two firearms in July 2014.

Desanctis, of Holmes, and Pawlowski, of Swarthmore, have been charged with providing false information in connection with the purchase of two firearms, conspiracy to transfer a firearm to a convicted felon, felonies of the third degree, and other related offenses.

Desanctis was released after posting 1o percent of $50,000 bail and Pawlowski was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Their preliminary hearing is listed for Oct. 24.

On April 16, Officer Garron of the Chester Police Narcotics Unit seized a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson firearm during the execution of a search warrant at Luis Viera’s home in the City of Chester.

Viera is a convicted felon and, therefore not permitted to possess a firearm. Garron submitted the firearm to Criminal Investigation Division Detective David Tyler to conduct an investigation regarding the firearm, which revealed the gun had not been reported stolen and was still registered to Pawlowski, according to the DA's office.

A check of firearms purchased by Pawlowski revealed that in July 2014 she had purchased two firearms, the seized .38 caliber Smith and Wesson, as well as a .380 Keltec semi-automatic firearm, from two different firearms shops in Delaware County, the DA's office said.

A further check of the .380 Keltec semi-automatic firearm revealed that in October 2014, Desanctis sold that firearm back to a gun store in Delaware County, according to the DA's office.

Pawlowski was interviewed and admitted that she has purchased both firearms in 2014 for her then boyfriend, Desanctis, the DA's office said.

Pawlowski said Desanctis was with her at the time of the purchase of the firearms and had told her which firearms to purchase, providing the money for each purchase, according to the DA's office.

After purchasing the firearms, she gave them to Desanctis, the DA's office said.

Pawlowski said she knew Desanctis was a convicted felon and was not legally permitted to purchase or possess a firearm, according to the DA's office.

A criminal history check of Desanctis revealed a prior felony drug trafficking conviction, rendering him incapable of legally possessing a firearm, the DA's office said.

Desanctis also admitted that he had received the firearms from Pawlowski and advised that he no longer had either firearm as he sold both firearms to buy drugs, according to the DA's office.