Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Sawed-Off Shotguns and Silencers

Southbury Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Sawed-Off Shotguns and Silencers

ANTHONY ENGLEHARDT, 44, of Southbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a firearm offense related to his unlawful possession of sawed-off shotguns and silencers.

In a bold move that’s raising eyebrows in Connecticut’s law enforcement community, Englehardt’s guilty plea comes after a series of events that culminated in his arrest. Just hours before midnight on March 13, 2023, Torrington Police received a report that Englehardt used a rifle to blast a hole in the ceiling of a Torrington residence, and then left the premises.

But that was only the beginning. At the time of the incident, Englehardt was already under a protective order issued by the Waterbury Superior Court, which required him to surrender all of his firearms and ammunition. But Englehardt didn’t play by the rules. Connecticut State Police stopped his vehicle at approximately 12:30 a.m. on March 14, 2023, and took him into custody. Multiple charges were filed, and a search of his Southbury residence revealed a staggering arsenal of 10 firearms, six silencers, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and various firearms parts and accessories.

The search also uncovered three sawed-off shotguns that were not registered pursuant to the National Firearms Act, as well as six silencers that were also not registered. This is a clear violation of federal law, and Englehardt’s guilty plea is a major blow to his defense.

Englehardt’s guilty plea to possession of unregistered National Firearms Act firearms and silencers carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. However, a sentencing date has not been scheduled. Englehardt has been detained since his federal arrest on May 25, 2023.

The investigation into Englehardt’s illicit activities was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Connecticut State Police, the Torrington Police Department, and the Southbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret M. Donovan and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, with the assistance of Law Student Intern Eli Scher-Zagier.

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