Former Prince George's Officer Gets Seven Years in Seized Gun Sales Case

Authorities Juan Carter seized guns -- but then sold them on the street to known criminals. One gun was used in the shooting of an off-duty police officer in late 2009

A former Prince George's County police officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday, but will serve only seven, for allegedly selling seized guns.

Juan Carter had faced up to 30 years in prison, reported News4's Chris Gordon.

As an officer, Carter had been was assigned to a task force that seized guns from people unqualified to own them. Prosecutors say he then sold some of those guns to known criminals over the course of up to three years.

They believe Carter sold 29 weapons, including handguns, shotguns and AK-47s. Only a dozen of those weapons have been found, prosecutors say.

One gun was used in the shooting of one of Carter's fellow county police officers in late 2009.

Officer Eric Horne, who was off-duty at the time, was shot in front of his pregnant wife and children. Horne says the shooting permanently changed his life. He lost the middle finger of his left hand.

Horne attended Thursday's sentencing hearing.

Carter was convicted Jan. 15 in his second trial. The first ended with the jury unable to reach a verdict.

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