A jury was unable to reach a decision in the trial of a Pulaski woman charged with federal firearms violations.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh said U.S. District Court Judge Gary L. Lancaster declared a mistrial on charges against Tammy Clark, 33, of 1439 Coffee Run Road.

The jury, which deliberated for 16 hours, informed the judge of the deadlock Friday, and was dismissed.

The trial began Monday and went to the jury Wednesday afternoon.

Prosecutors said they will retry Ms. Clark on charges of conspiracy, knowingly making false statements in records kept by federally licensed firearms dealers, selling or delivering firearms or ammunition other than a shotgun or rifle to someone younger than 21 and knowingly selling a firearm or ammunition to a prohibited person.

The speedy-trial law requires that she be tried within 70 days, but a new date largely will depend on the judge's schedule, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Ms. Clark has been free on bond.

Three men charged in the same case pleaded guilty earlier this month to knowingly selling a firearm or ammunition to a prohibited person.

Alexander Pagley Sr., 56, of 1439 Coffee Run Road, and Alexander Pagley Jr., 33, and Jeffrey Natale, 40, both of New Castle, will be sentenced Jan. 10, and could be jailed up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $250,000.

Pagley Jr. operated Pete's Bait and Sport in New Castle, and was a federally licensed firearms dealer. His father, Natale and Ms. Clark were employees in the store.

On four occasions, between March 15, 2001, and April 27, 2001, employees sold nine firearms through a "straw purchaser" to a convicted felon, who is prohibited from buying or having firearms, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

A straw purchaser is someone who says he or she is the actual buyer of a firearm, when really buying it for someone else.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted an undercover operation at the store and secretly recorded each purchase.