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Engineering Grad Sentenced for Lying to FBI
A 25-year-old engineering graduate from Grand Rapids, Michigan has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for lying to FBI agents about renting and training with an AR-15.
Aaron William Fein, a 25-year-old resident of Grand Rapids, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney for his guilty plea in July to lying to FBI agents about renting and training with an AR-15.
According to court documents, Task Force Agents first became aware of Fein in August 2018 when he attempted to cross into Canada without proper documentation. Upon his return, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found documents and materials in his car relating to bomb making and jihadism.
Fein admitted to having bomb-making materials at his home and expressed interest in mass shootings. During the following months, Task Force Agents kept close tabs on Fein, encouraging him to seek counseling. Despite this, Fein obtained and attempted to obtain firearms and ammunition on several occasions, and agents eventually filed a petition for mental health treatment.
In April 2019, agents learned that Fein had rented an AR-15 style semiautomatic assault rifle and trained with it at a firearms range in eastern Michigan. When they apprehended him, Fein falsely stated he had not touched any guns. Video recordings from the range clearly showed him shooting the rifle.
Fein, who has a college degree in engineering, was found to have bought metalworking tools and was arrested at his residence. Agents discovered unassembled parts for multiple AR-15 rifles, as well as radio transmitters and electrical components for an improvised explosive device.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said that Aaron Fein’s behavior demanded law enforcement intervention to prevent him from posing a danger to the community. FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono added that the investigation was a joint effort of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Michigan State Police.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in preventing potential threats to public safety. As the investigation unfolded, Fein’s actions became increasingly concerning, and his sentence reflects the need to balance public safety with providing mental health services.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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