Kevin D. Ronca, Firearms Smuggling, New York 2019

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Three members of the United States Air Force Air National Guard have been sentenced for smuggling firearms parts and accessories into the United States.

The United States Attorney's Office in Albany, New York, announced that Kevin D. Ronca, a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard, was sentenced to 3 years of probation, to include 3 months of home detention, and a $5,000 fine for his role in the conspiracy to import firearms. Ronca, age 41, of Amsterdam, New York, admitted to conspiring with another Air National Guard Member, Joseph R. Paludi, to smuggle two firearm silencers Ronca had purchased abroad back to Stratton Air Base aboard a military aircraft.

The silencers were discovered upon arrival in Scotia, New York. As part of the plea, Ronca acknowledged that he and Paludi conspired to import the silencers in violation of federal law. The investigation revealed that Paludi had also smuggled a silencer and a threaded blackout barrel into the United States aboard a military aircraft.

Paludi, age 34, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced to 2 years of probation and a $4,000 fine for his role in the conspiracy to import firearms. Paludi was a Technical Sergeant in the Air National Guard, assigned to the 109th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Stratton Air Base.

Another member of the squadron, Timothy R. Schmitt, age 28, of Galway, New York, also pled guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm. Schmitt, also a Technical Sergeant, was sentenced to 2 years of probation and a $5,000 fine. The case was investigated by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, ATF and HSI, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.

The United States Attorney's Office praised the collaboration between federal agencies and the Air National Guard for their efforts in bringing the defendants to justice. The case highlights the importance of enforcing laws related to the importation of firearms and the need for vigilance in preventing such crimes.

The defendants' sentences serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in such activities. The United States Attorney's Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect the community and uphold the law.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant Kevin D. Ronca, Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Import Firearms, City and State: Amsterdam, New York, Exact Date: October 31, 2019, Sentence: 3 years of probation, to include 3 months of home detention, and a $5,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/air-national-guard-members-sentenced-smuggling-firearms-parts-and-accessories