Williamsport Gun Thief and Heroin Dealer Faces Charges

WILLIAMSPORT – Samuel Bozochovic, 36, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is in deep trouble after a federal grand jury indicted him for a daring gun store heist and drug dealing.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania revealed that Bozochovic allegedly broke into R&J Welch gun store on February 8, 2017, and made off with 11 handguns. Five firearms were recovered from his apartment, but six remain at large. The same day, authorities caught Bozochovic distributing heroin and seized 48 packets of the drug.

Bozochovic was arrested and detained on February 9, 2017, by United States Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle, III. ATF Special Agent in Charge Sam Rabadi emphasized that stolen guns often end up fueling violence in local communities, and vowed to use all resources to catch gun thieves like Bozochovic.

Anyone with information on this case or the missing firearms is urged to call 1-800-ATF GUNS (1-800-283-4867). The investigation is a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is handling the prosecution.

This case is part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership and the Heroin Initiative, which aim to combat violent crime and heroin trafficking in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Indictments are only allegations; Bozochovic is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The maximum penalty for this offense under federal law is 30 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release, and a fine. The actual sentence will be determined by the court after considering various factors as outlined in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.