A 19-year-old Norwich man has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a short-barreled rifle.
Benjamin Wheeler, 19, of Norwich, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Utica to possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle
As part of his guilty plea today, Wheeler admitted that on August 6, 2024, the defendant knowingly possessed a ‘Spikes Tactical’ AR-15 style rifle at his apartment in Norwich, New York,
Wheeler faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Sentencing for his conviction is scheduled for February 12, 2025 in Utica, New York.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Police with assistance from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown is prosecuting the case.
The charges against Wheeler stem from his possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, which is a serious federal crime.
The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the government’s commitment to enforcing federal firearms laws and keeping our communities safe.
Related Federal Cases
- Bennyjamin Wheeler, Unlawfully Possessing a Short-Barreled Rifle, New York 2024 · New York
- Mark P. Messare, Short-barreled Rifle Possession, New York 2018 · Georgia
- Robert Twiss Charged with Unlawful Rifle Possession, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- James E Sandford III, Possessing Stolen Firearm, New York 2024 · New York
- Ernest Green, Illegally Possessing a Firearm, New York 2020 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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