FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – A West Fargo man has been charged with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

Robert Eugene Johnson made his initial appearance in Federal Court in Fargo Friday. He’s accused of trying to buy a gun on March 23 and filled out a form stating he was not a convicted felon.

Before he was able to purchase the semi-automatic gun, a check of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System found he was convicted of felony tax evasion only a week earlier, March 20, in Federal Court in Fargo.

Anyone convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than a year is barred from possessing a gun.