ROME, NY — A Vienna man was arrested following an investigation into a denied firearm purchase attempt at a local Walmart.
Harvey J. Dingman, 51, of Vienna, was taken into custody on May 6, 2026, by New York State Police.
Dingman was charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, a class E felony, and attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon, a class E felony.
He also faces three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms in the first degree, all class A misdemeanors.
The investigation began after a National Instant Criminal Background Check System denial was received through the Crime Analysis Center.
Police said Dingman allegedly provided false information on a federal firearm purchase form while attempting to buy a rifle at the Walmart Supercenter on April 20, 2026.
A subsequent NICS background check denied the purchase due to a prior disqualifying conviction.
Investigators determined Dingman was prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms under New York State law.
State Police executed a search warrant at Dingman’s residence and located three long guns that were unlawfully possessed.
One of the three long guns was not safely secured in the residence, police said.
The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit – NICS and the New York State Police Oneida Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Dingman was issued appearance tickets returnable to Rome City Court and Vienna Town Court on June 2, 2026.
