SPRINGVILLE, UT – Shawn Phillip Hansen, 32, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, will face a jury on January 26, 2015, accused of pilfering a staggering 42 firearms from the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) where he was employed. The brazen theft, spanning an unknown period but discovered by September 24, 2014, has landed Hansen in federal court facing serious time.
A two-count indictment, handed down in November, details the charges. Hansen is accused of both possessing the 42 stolen firearms – a diverse collection including rifles, revolvers, pistols, handguns, and shotguns – and of the actual theft from the Springville FFL. Among the stolen weaponry: two Taurus International .410 caliber revolvers, two Winchester rifles, six Colt pistols, three U.S.A. Military Surplus .30-06 rifles, and two Browning shotguns. Authorities estimate the total value of the stolen firearms to be around $100,000 – a substantial loss for the business and a dangerous influx of weapons into the black market.
The scheme began to unravel when the business owner noticed a firearm missing from inventory. A subsequent investigation by the Springville Police Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) quickly revealed the scope of the theft – a total of 42 firearms were unaccounted for. Detective Jeff Ellsworth of the Springville PD led the investigation, which ultimately recovered the stolen weapons.
Acting U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen emphasized that the case is being prosecuted federally as part of the Utah Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) initiative. This program focuses on forging partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement to drive down crime related to gangs and gun violence. “As the result of hard work… over 40 weapons have been recovered and removed from the streets of Springville,” stated Springville Police Chief K. Scott Finlayson. “Removing stolen guns from the streets reduces crime… and increases the safety of our citizens.”
If convicted on either count, Hansen faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was released with conditions following his initial appearance on the charges. While the indictment lays out the accusations, it’s crucial to remember that it does not constitute a finding of guilt. Hansen, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, bringing you the unvarnished truth from the courtroom. The recovery of these firearms is a win for local law enforcement, but the potential consequences for Hansen – and the community – remain to be seen. The question remains: how did a trusted employee allegedly steal so many weapons without raising more immediate red flags, and where were these guns headed?
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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