Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Everett, Pa. Resident Charged with Selling Firearms Stolen from Federal Facility
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Everett, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on various counts related to firearms stolen from the National Firearms and Ammunition Destruction Branch (NFAD), United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The eight-count indictment named Richard Adam Schreiber, 38, of Everett, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment presented to the court, between August 30, 2016, and March 4, 2019, Schreiber purchased multiple stolen firearms, firearm components and ammunition from Christopher Lee Yates. Yates was an employee of Allied Security and worked at NFAD, which was a facility used by ATF and other law enforcement agencies to have firearms and ammunition destroyed. The firearms at NFAD had been seized during criminal investigations or were retired by the agencies. The investigation by ATF began in February of 2019 when a firearm was seized in Philadelphia with different serial numbers, one of which was for a “slide” or firearm component that had purportedly been destroyed at NFAD. ATF learned that Yates stole in excess of five machineguns, 115 pistols and/or revolvers, 3,000 slides and ammunition. The indictment further alleges that Schreiber then sold the firearms and components over the internet from his residence in Everett, Pa. During the investigation, ATF Agents seized nine firearms from Yates, including a machinegun stolen from NFAD and an additional 11 firearms and rifles from individuals that Yates sold the stolen weapons to. ATF Agents also seized 101 firearms, 1,352 slides and 123,229 rounds of ammunition from Schreiber and an additional 28 firearms, including three machineguns, from individuals to whom Schreiber sold the stolen weapons. Yates has been charged with similar offenses in the Northern District of West Virginia.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 65 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Schreiber and Yates.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###