Man Gets 3 Years Probation for Possessing Stolen Gun Silencers

A Florida man who pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm has been sentenced to three years probation, federal officials announced Thursday.

According to court documents, Richard Sleeva, 48, admitted that he unlawfully possessed three Gemtech firearms silencers at a former residence in Pennsylvania, from 2001 through September 2009.

As part of his plea, authorities said, Sleeva agreed to forfeit approximately 117 firearms that he owned and possessed at residences in Pennsylvania and Newtown, Conn. The firearms, which Sleeva voluntarily turned over to ATF agents in 2009, include more than 40 firearms silencers, more than 40 short-barreled shotguns, as well as several machine guns, semi-automatic handguns and semi-automatic rifles.

U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford also ordered Sleeva to perform 450 hours of community service.

Sleeva served on the Board of Directors of Gemtech, an Idaho-based manufacturer. According to court documents and statements made in court, Sleeva was a Federal Firearms Licensee and had obtained silencers as a member of Gemtech’s Board prior to his removal in 2001. 

When he was removed from the Board, Sleeva failed to return the silencers after Gemtech repeatedly demanded that he do so, officials said. Gemtech then reported the firearms as stolen.

Authorities said Sleeva’s Federal Firearms License expired in 2003 and that on Sept. 22, 2011, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen firearm, a charge that is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000.