A 59-year-old Fort McCoy man was indicted this week for failing to register a machine gun and two silencers that were allegedly found in his possession.
On Thursday, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida announced the return of an indictment charging Robert Edward Smith with possession of unregistered National Firearms Act weapons.
According to court documents, special agents searched Smith’s residence in Marion County on February 15, 2024, pursuant to a federal search warrant. Inside his bedroom, agents allegedly found a STEN machine gun and two silencers.
None of the above items were registered to Smith in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.
If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.