Swanville man John T. Hines, 50, is headed back to the streets after landing a time-served sentence for illegally possessing a cache of firearms, including a loaded .357 Ruger revolver, two rifles, and a shotgun. The conviction stems from a noise complaint that turned into a federal firearms case after deputies responded to reports of gunfire near his property.
Hines was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., who handed down a sentence of approximately 10 months in prison—time Hines has already served. The plea deal came after Hines pled guilty on August 30, 2016, to a single count of unlawful possession of firearms by a prohibited person, a federal offense carrying stiff penalties.
Court records reveal the trouble started when two Waldo County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at Hines’ residence to investigate a neighbor’s complaint about repeated gunfire echoing from his land. What they found went far beyond target practice: Hines was in direct possession of multiple loaded weapons, despite being legally barred from owning any firearm under federal law.
The ban traces back to a prior conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence assault—a designation that automatically strips individuals of their gun rights under the Lautenberg Amendment. Despite that clear legal line, Hines kept and handled firearms as if the law didn’t apply to him.
The case was a joint operation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, agencies that don’t often get called in for noise complaints but quickly pivoted when they uncovered a prohibited person armed to the teeth.
U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II confirmed the sentencing, underscoring that illegal gun possession—especially by those with violent histories—is a top enforcement priority. For now, Hines walks free, but federal eyes may remain locked on Swanville.
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- Houlton Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · Maine
- Burnham Man Cuffed for Gun, Drugs in Wrecked Car Stop · Maine
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