Matthew Elshaug, Firearms Trafficking, WA, 2013

SEATTLE, WA – A brazen 2013 burglary at a Snohomish Fred Meyer has finally caught up with four men, now facing federal charges for trafficking the stolen firearms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced this week the indictment of MATTHEW ELSHAUG, 35, of Monroe, Washington; CASEY YOUNT, 26, also of Monroe; LEVI HERZ, 30, of Everett, Washington; and RAYMOND BARON, 52, of Marysville, Washington. The quartet allegedly turned stolen guns into cash and drugs, flooding the streets with illegally obtained weapons.

According to the indictment, ELSHAUG broke into the Snohomish Fred Meyer in the early morning hours of November 17, 2013, prying open the gun case with a crowbar and making off with 29 firearms. He then teamed up with YOUNT to fence the stolen weapons, trading them for quick cash or a fix. HERZ and BARON allegedly acted as buyers, adding to the flow of illegal firearms. All three – ELSHAUG, YOUNT, and HERZ – were already prohibited from possessing guns due to prior convictions.

The thirteen-count indictment lays out a complex conspiracy. All four men are charged with conspiracy to receive, possess, barter, and sell stolen firearms. ELSHAUG faces the most severe charges, including Possession and Sale of Stolen Firearms, Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee, and being a Felon in Possession of Firearms. YOUNT is charged with Possession and Sale of Stolen Firearms, and being a Felon in Possession of Firearms. HERZ also faces drug distribution charges – methamphetamine and heroin – in addition to Possession and Sale of Stolen Firearms, being a Felon in Possession of Firearms. BARON is charged with Possession and Sale of Stolen Firearms, Distribution of Controlled Substances (methamphetamine and heroin), Possession of a Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number, and Possession of a Firearm Not Registered to Possessor in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

The potential penalties are significant. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. The firearms-related charges could land the men up to ten years behind bars, with the obliterated serial number charge carrying a five-year maximum. The drug distribution charges are the most severe, with a potential sentence of up to twenty years in prison. ELSHAUG’s record includes prior convictions in Snohomish County for burglary, theft, and illegal firearms possession. YOUNT has prior convictions for theft and drug crimes, while HERZ has a history of drug-related offenses.

Currently, MATTHEW ELSHAUG is being held at the Snohomish County Jail and is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle next week. CASEY YOUNT, LEVI HERZ, and RAYMOND BARON appeared in court today and are being detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, pending further hearings. Authorities stress that these are allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was a multi-agency effort, involving the Snohomish Police Department, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department, the Marysville Police Department, the Everett Police Department, the Washington State Department of Corrections, the Snohomish Fugitive Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). The Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provided critical support. Assistant United States Attorney Kate Crisham is prosecuting the case.