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A Milford teen-ager was arrested Friday on firearms charges after allegedly purchasing a handgun via the Internet in January.
Eric D. Andrews, 17, of 8392 N. CR 300E, Milford, is preliminarily charged with illegally carrying a handgun and illegal possession of a handgun, both Class A misdemeanors, and giving false information to obtain a handgun or license, a Class C felony. Due to the nature of the offenses, Andrews was automatically waived to adult court, according to Kosciusko County Prosecutor Chuck Waggoner.
According to court documents, Andrews used a false name to order a 9-mm handgun from an Internet site and had the weapon shipped to a friend's house. He paid for the gun with a money order.
The matter was brought to the attention of authorities after a Syracuse gun dealer realized a gun was illegally shipped to the residence and talked to the mother of one of Andrews' friends.
The empty carton was reportedly found at that house and the woman became concerned. She called Wawasee High School officials and said her son might have a gun at the school. The teen-ager was interviewed and told school and police officials that Andrews bought the gun and had it shipped to his house so Andrews' parents wouldn't find out.
Andrews was then brought to the office and admitted having the gun at his house. Police took him home to retrieve the weapon before he was allowed to return to school.
The other teen had nothing to do with the purchase of the gun and didn't know about the transaction until Andrews told him it was being delivered to his house.
The gun was delivered Jan. 30 and authorities were notified of the matter on Feb. 2.
A warrant for Andrews' arrest was filed March 28 and Andrews surrendered at the Kosciusko County Jail on Friday. After being booked, he was released on his own recognizance.
