JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Everett, Pa., has pleaded guilty in federal court to various counts related to firearms stolen from the National Firearms and Ammunition Destruction Branch (NFAD), United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Richard Adam Schreiber, 38, of Everett, Pa., pleaded guilty to five counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between Aug. 30, 2016 and March 4, 2019, Schreiber purchased multiple stolen firearms, firearm components and ammunition from Christopher Lee Yates. Yates was an employee of Allied Security and worked at NFAD, which was a facility used by ATF and other law enforcement agencies to have firearms and ammunition destroyed. The firearms at NFAD had been seized during criminal investigations or were retired by the agencies. The investigation by ATF began in February of 2019 when a firearm was seized in Philadelphia with different serial numbers, one of which was for a "slide" or firearm component that had purportedly been destroyed at NFAD. ATF learned that Yates stole in excess of 5 machineguns, 115 pistols and/or revolvers, 3,000 slides and ammunition. The Indictment further alleged that Schreiber then sold the firearms and components over the internet from his residence in Everett, Pa. During the investigation, ATF Agents seized 9 firearms from Yates, including a machinegun stolen from NFAD and an additional 11 firearms and rifles from individuals to whom Yates had sold the stolen weapons. ATF Agents also seized 101 firearms, 1,352 slides and 123,229 rounds of ammunition from Schreiber and an additional 28 firearms, including 3 machineguns, from individuals to whom Schreiber had sold the stolen weapons. Yates was charged with similar offenses in the Northern District of West Virginia, and was sentenced to 168 months in jail.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Aug. 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon 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 Schreiber.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
