William Klingensmith, Possession of Firearms by a Prohibited Person, Maine 2015

A Sanford man has pleaded guilty to a serious crime that puts public safety at risk. William Klingensmith, 46, of Sanford, Maine, admitted to possessing firearms despite being prohibited from doing so.

According to court records, Klingensmith had eleven firearms in his possession at different times between February and July 2015. He used two of them for target shooting at a range in Fairfield and had nine of them hanging on the wall of his former residence in Waterville.

Klingensmith was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was convicted in Maine of domestic violence assault in 2010. This is a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, which makes him ineligible to own guns.

The investigation into Klingensmith’s activities was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waterville Police Department. The authorities found that Klingensmith’s actions were a clear violation of federal law.

As a result of his guilty plea, Klingensmith faces severe consequences. He could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, fined a maximum of $250,000, and subjected to up to three years of supervised release. A presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office will be completed before he is sentenced.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to gun laws and respecting the rights of others. Klingensmith’s actions put the community at risk, and his plea is a testament to the effectiveness of law enforcement in keeping our streets safe.

Klingensmith’s case highlights the need for stricter gun control measures and increased awareness about the dangers of gun violence. As a society, we must work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Assistant United States Attorney Jody Mullis is handling the case. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the authorities.

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