James Lane Winslett, Manufacturing and Dealing Firearms, California 2023

CORNING, CA – James Lane Winslett, 65, of Corning, is facing a massive federal indictment following a years-long investigation into his alleged illegal gun operation. A grand jury returned a 39-count indictment Thursday, accusing Winslett of manufacturing and dealing firearms without a license, dodging taxes, selling to prohibited persons, and stockpiling unregistered weapons.

Federal prosecutors allege Winslett was actively manufacturing and selling firearms between January 27, 2018, and October 28, 2021, all while skirting the law. He allegedly operated as a firearms dealer without obtaining the required licenses or paying the associated taxes. The indictment also claims he knowingly sold a firearm in June 2020 to an individual legally barred from possessing one – a reckless act that could have had deadly consequences.

The feds didn’t just find illegal sales; they found a cache. A search of Winslett’s residence uncovered 36 unregistered silencers, each considered a firearm under federal law and requiring registration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The sheer volume of these devices points to a deliberate and extensive effort to circumvent gun control regulations.

The case, spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations and the ATF, with support from Customs and Border Protection and the California Highway Patrol, highlights the ongoing federal crackdown on illegal gun trafficking. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Sauvageau will prosecute the case, aiming to hold Winslett accountable for his alleged actions. The investigation underscores the relentless pursuit of individuals who profit from putting weapons into the wrong hands.

If convicted of manufacturing and dealing in firearms, Winslett faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the remaining 38 counts carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. However, any actual sentence will be determined by the court, considering sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors. Winslett is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being touted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and measuring results – a strategy officials hope will make a tangible difference in public safety.

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