ATF Online - Press Release

Nashville Field Division
5300 Maryland Way, Suite 200
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

For Immediate Release

Contact: Larry Cooper
Assistant Special Agent In Charge
615-565-1400

Mark Leiser
PIO Special Agent
615-565-1400

Phil Wehby
Assistant United States Attorney
615-736-5151

Date: September 12, 2003

STEVEN LASKY INDICTED FOR MACHINE GUN,
SILENCER, AND DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE POSSESSION

James K. Vines, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge James M. Cavanaugh, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nashville Field Division, report that on September 10, 2003, Steven P. LASKY, a Cheatham County resident, was indicted for violating various Federal firearms laws.

As background, on August 21, 2003, ATF Special Agents and Detectives from the ATF Metro Crime Gun Unit, with assistance from the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, the Metropolitan Nashville Hazardous Devices Unit, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, executed a Federal Search Warrant at LASKEY'S 1005 Trouble Road, Ashland City, Tennessee.

During the search investigators recovered as evidence 7 machine guns, 21 silencers, 19 improvised explosive devices, approximately 3 pounds of C-4 explosive, and 500 (approximately) blasting caps.

Subsequent to finding the illegal weapons, LASKY was placed under arrest and has remained in custody since.

The result of this investigation was presented to a Federal Grand Jury on September 10, 2003. The Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment against LASKY charging him as follows:

Count I - On or about August 21, 2003, LASKY did knowingly possess firearms to include machine guns, silencers, destructive devices, and a short-barreled shotgun, which were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Count II - On or about August 21, 2003, LASKY did knowingly possess firearms to include machine guns, silencers, destructive devices, and a short-barreled shotgun, all of which were made in violation of Federal firearms laws.

The charges each carry a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

LASKY'S arraignment on these charges will be scheduled at a future date.

This case is being investigated by ATF Special Agents, Detectives from the ATF/Metro Crime Gun Unit, and investigators from the Metropolitan Police Hazardous Devices Unit, The Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, and the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phil Wehby.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment only contains charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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Nashville Field Division 5300 Maryland Way, Suite 200 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
For Immediate Release Contact: Larry Cooper Assistant Special Agent In Charge 615-565-1400 Mark Leiser PIO Special Agent 615-565-1400 Phil Wehby Assistant United States Attorney 615-736-5151	Date: September 12, 2003

STEVEN LASKY INDICTED FOR MACHINE GUN, SILENCER, AND DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE POSSESSION James K. Vines, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge James M. Cavanaugh, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nashville Field Division, report that on September 10, 2003, Steven P. LASKY, a Cheatham County resident, was indicted for violating various Federal firearms laws. As background, on August 21, 2003, ATF Special Agents and Detectives from the ATF Metro Crime Gun Unit, with assistance from the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, the Metropolitan Nashville Hazardous Devices Unit, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, executed a Federal Search Warrant at LASKEY'S 1005 Trouble Road, Ashland City, Tennessee. During the search investigators recovered as evidence 7 machine guns, 21 silencers, 19 improvised explosive devices, approximately 3 pounds of C-4 explosive, and 500 (approximately) blasting caps. Subsequent to finding the illegal weapons, LASKY was placed under arrest and has remained in custody since. The result of this investigation was presented to a Federal Grand Jury on September 10, 2003. The Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment against LASKY charging him as follows: Count I - On or about August 21, 2003, LASKY did knowingly possess firearms to include machine guns, silencers, destructive devices, and a short-barreled shotgun, which were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Count II - On or about August 21, 2003, LASKY did knowingly possess firearms to include machine guns, silencers, destructive devices, and a short-barreled shotgun, all of which were made in violation of Federal firearms laws. The charges each carry a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. LASKY'S arraignment on these charges will be scheduled at a future date. This case is being investigated by ATF Special Agents, Detectives from the ATF/Metro Crime Gun Unit, and investigators from the Metropolitan Police Hazardous Devices Unit, The Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, and the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phil Wehby. Members of the public are reminded that an indictment only contains charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. #####