Yanceyville Man Arrested
Charged with violating federal firearms laws
GREENSBORO, N.C. — United States Attorney Ripley Rand announced today that James Roy WEBSTER of Yanceyville was arrested today on charges that he violated federal firearms laws.
The Indictment charges WEBSTER, age 69, with two counts of dealing in firearms without a license, two counts of disposing of a firearm to a prohibited person, and one count of possession of stolen firearms.
While investigating a series of breaking and enterings in Caswell, Alamance, and Person Counties, and elsewhere, law enforcement learned that items stolen in the break–ins had allegedly been sold to an illegal pawn shop operated by WEBSTER at his home in Yanceyville. During a search of WEBSTER’s home in October 2010, agents allegedly seized more than 40 firearms and numerous other items.
The defendant appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge L. Patrick Auld in Greensboro and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He was released pending trial.
On the charges of dealing in firearms without a license, WEBSTER faces a maximum penalty of up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. On each of the other the charges, WEBSTER faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Caswell County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terri–Lei O’Malley.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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