Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

A multi-convicted felon was sentenced to 35 years in prison by King County Superior Court Judge Timothy Bradshaw on May 26 in a case investigated by special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Seattle Field Division and Burien Police. 

Ricky Marvin Arntsen, 46, was convicted Nov. 22, 2016, on 16 charges: including six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree, six counts of theft of a firearm, burglary in the first and second degree, assault in the second degree, and malicious mischief in the first degree.  The charges were from a 2014 incident, where Mr. Arntsen was arrested by King County Sheriff SWAT members in Burien, south of Seattle, after a four-hour standoff with police.  Mr. Arntsen had smashed a minivan through the front door of a sporting goods store in an effort to steal rifles.  

Arntsen has an extensive police record dating back to 1984, when he was convicted of attempted robbery in the first degree at the age of 13. 

Since then he has been convicted of charges ranging from multiple counts of delivering and possessing narcotics, multiple counts of burglary and robbery, assault, malicious mischief, and attempting to elude a police vehicle. 

In 1994, Arntsen was convicted of murder, which was later changed to manslaughter in the first degree.  He served nearly 12 years before being released. 

“ATF is committed to keeping our communities safe,” explained Seattle Special Agent in Charge Darek Pleasants.  “ATF works shoulder to shoulder with our partners to determine fact, and present those facts to the most appropriate court of jurisdiction in our efforts to ensure justice is served.”  This case was referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for prosecution. 

“Mr. Arntsen demonstrated himself to be a career criminal, using firearms as his tool of choice,” said Pleasants.  “I am proud that ATF was able to contribute alongside our partners in Washington law enforcement to bring him to justice.