Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

DENVER – Two men, Calvin Terrell Stafford, age 23, and Napoleon Williams, age 23, were ordered held without bond today by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya for firearm related crimes, the United States Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Springfield Police Department (located in Baca County) and the Baca County Sheriff’s Office announced.  Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on September 13, 2017.  They were then arrested, and made their initial appearances on September 19, 2017, where they were advised of their rights and the charges pending against them.  Today, September 22, 2017, both defendants appeared in magistrate court again where they were ordered held without bond pending a resolution of their cases. 

 

According to the Indictment, from August 10, 2017 through August 12, 2017, the defendants Calvin Terrell Stafford and Napoleon Williams conspired to commit theft of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee.  On August 10, 2017, the defendants traveled from Missouri to Springfield, Colorado, with the intent to buy marijuana that they could then sell for a profit in Missouri. When the marijuana deal fell through, they decided to steal firearms from a local gun shop.  They stole 19 guns, including 5 rifles, from Best Way Sales in Springfield.  After the burglary, the defendants drove the stolen firearms out of Colorado to St. Louis, Missouri, where they sold most of the stolen guns.

 

Both defendants face one count of Conspiracy to Steal Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee.  If convicted of that count, they each face not more than 5 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.  The defendants face a second count, Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee.  If convicted of that count, they each face not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.  Finally, defendants Stafford and Williams face a third count, Possession of Stolen Firearms.  If convicted of that final count, both defendants face not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. 

 

This case was investigated jointly by the Springfield Police Department, Baca County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF.  ATF offices involved in the investigation include the Colorado Springs Field Office and the Kansas City and St. Louis Field Offices in Missouri.  The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Covell.

 

The charges contained in the Indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.