ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — A former Rocky Mount police officer has been fined $400 for his role in a gun-buying scheme.

James Marion Slate was accused of trying to recruit other people to become straw buyers of guns. He pleaded guilty in July to a federal conspiracy count.

Straw purchases typically involve a person who legally buys a firearm but does so on behalf of someone else.

The Roanoke Times (http://bit.ly/ZrQ6ec ) reports that the 26-year-old Slate was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court. In addition to the fine, he received probation.

Slate left the police force earlier this year.

A co-defendant, David Haskins of Bassett, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 25 on two counts of inducing straw gun purchases.

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Information from: The Roanoke Times, http://www.roanoke.com

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