Robert Jacob Eberle, Firearms Theft, Maryland 2018

Greenbelt, Maryland – In a shocking case of firearm theft, 30-year-old Robert Jacob Eberle of Lexington Park, Maryland, has been indicted on federal charges of theft of firearms, possession of stolen firearms, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2018, alleges that Eberle stole 11 firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on July 21, 2018. The stolen guns include seven 9mm-caliber pistols, two .45-caliber pistols, a .40-caliber pistol, and a .380-caliber pistol.

Eberle, who has a previous felony conviction, is prohibited from possessing firearms. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together law enforcement and the community to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer. PSN is the centerpiece of the government’s violent crime reduction efforts, focusing enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partnering with prevention and reentry programs.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray D. McKenzie is prosecuting the case.

Eberle is currently detained and is scheduled to have his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on December 28, 2018. An indictment is not a finding of guilt, and Eberle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

This case highlights the importance of the community’s role in reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify and develop solutions to address the most pressing violent crime problems in the community.

An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. The case is ongoing, and further details will be released as more information becomes available.