A Crawford County man has been sentenced for being in possession of firearms while being a convicted felon.
A release from United States Attorney Josh Minkler’s office says 50-year old Richard Smitson, was sentenced to 70 months in prison by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard Young following his guilty plea to two counts of possessing firearms after a felony conviction.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana State Police.
The release says immediately before sentencing, Smitson admitted that on October 14, 2014, and on February 4, 2015, Smitson possessed a total of 26 firearms after having been convicted of a felony.
Smitson admitted during the trial of negotiating an agreement to sell two firearms to an undercover police officer. After arranging a second sale, Smitson was arrested and surrendered an additional twenty-four firearms to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that he unlawfully possessed.
Smitson has been convicted on eight drug-related felonies dating back to 1993 in Crawford County.
Judge Young imposed three years of supervised release following Smitson’s release from prison. Smitson must submit to drug testing and drug abuse treatment while on supervision.
