Judge is accused of illegal gun sales; government seeks forfeiture of 51 weapons
Updated: A judge in Texas is accused in a federal indictment of illegally selling guns and making false statements in connection with gun purchases.
Court-at-Law Judge Tim Wright of Williamson County was indicted on nine counts on Tuesday, less then two weeks after a raid of his home, report the Austin American-Statesman, KXAN and KVUE. A press release has details; the indictment is here (PDF).
The indictment claims Wright sold guns on three occasions to a person he knew or had reasonable cause to believe was a convicted felon, aided and abetted smuggling and attempted smuggling of guns outside the United States, made false statements to gun dealers Guns Plus and Just Glocks when purchasing guns, and made false statements to government agents on two occasions.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of 51 firearms.
Wright presided over a Williamson County court that handles misdemeanor drug and alcohol cases. Wright’s lawyer, Jeff Senter, told the American-Statesman on Tuesday that Wright believes he will be exonerated after “a clear, positive and direct analysis of the facts.” Senter said that Wright holds a federal firearms license required for gun dealers.
Wright, 70, arrived at the federal courthouse on Wednesday to turn himself in, KXAN reports. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended him without pay later that day.
Updated on April 9 to add that Wright has been suspended without pay.
