Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Mikelinich, age 52, of Wingdale, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a 12-gauge, semi-automatic shotgun during the time he resided in Columbia County, New York. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

As part of his plea, Mikelinich admitted that between November 2014 and February 2017, he possessed the shotgun while residing in Ancram, New York.  The shotgun had previously been stolen from its owner’s vehicle in New Windsor, New York, in 2004, and was purchased by Mikelinich from a co-worker.  Two prior felony convictions, including a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of firearms, prevented Mikelinich from lawfully possessing the shotgun. 

Mikelinich has been in custody since his arrest on December 1, 2017.  He faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on August 17, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by ATF and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

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