Two Linn County men, including a former Linn County sheriff, pleaded guilty Monday to federal firearms violations, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Barry Walker, 70, of Mound City, pleaded guilty to one count of allowing a convicted felon to possess firearms and ammunition. Jeffrey Nicholas, 47, of Pleasanton, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing firearms and ammunition after a felony conviction. In their pleas, the two said that Nicholas, who had been convicted of a felony drug charge in Clark County, Nevada, worked selling firearms at Big Bear’s Gifts & Pawn Shop in Pleasanton, which was owned by Walker. Walker is the former Linn County Sheriff.