Sure it is. Just like Randy Weaver was, initially, a setup. Maybe this guy knows some people they wanted him to spy on and he wouldn't. (Just like Randy Weaver, use the charges as leverage, only Randy wouldn't lay ball). Play ball and they hold the charges over your head, and you get to be an informant.
Or maybe they just lucked out and caught him by accident.
@Smokin Joe I think it is more likely they caught someone he sold a functional black market gun to that committed a crime with it,and the guy they caught ratted him out for a reduced sentence.
I have a hard time believing even the NYC PD would waste a lot of time or effort chasing down and prosecuting a "one time offender".
MY best guess is this guy had a second income coming in from doing this.
BTW,I am also of the opinion that ANYBODY so stupid they will cross state lines to commit federal as well as state felony firearms crimes multiple times in order to sell them for a profit is so stupid he deserves whatever happens to him.
You can do that sort of thing a time or two to either create or just buy a weapon that is illegal to own where you live IF IT IS FOR YOUR PERSONAL OWNERSHIP and get away with it if you keep quiet,but when you start selling them,it is just a matter or time,not when,before you get arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
And is there ANY doubt in ANYONE'S mind that possessing and/or selling illegal firearms to people not legally ENTITLED to own them is one of the "crimes" that sets the big bell to ringing in prosecutors offices?
ANYBODY here surprised when they get prosecuted "to the full extent allowed by the law",even if no "crime" other than the mere sale and possession is committed?
Hell,you could rape a nursery school full of infant children and not draw as much judicial heat.
