ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal gun laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Gerald Szymanowski, 66, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about June 19, 2014, Szymanowski possessed approximately 38 unregistered firearms, including machineguns, silencers and destructive devices not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer record and manufactured approximately 372 devices of varying sizes containing explosive materials.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2015 at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Szymanowski on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Szymanowski.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
