Editors Note: The following press release is directly from ATF. Regular readers of AmmoLand News know our stance on the unaccountable Federal Agency: No comment. We invite our readers to leave their hard-hitting insights in the comments below.
TRENTON, N.J. – -(Ammoland.com)- An Ocean County, New Jersey, man today admitted unlawfully possessing a privately manufactured short barrel rifle, a silencer, and five imitation badges of various federal agencies, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jeffrey Backlund, 57, of Waretown, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with unlawfully possessing firearms that were not registered in the National Firearms Register and Transfer Record, and unlawful possession of an official badge or identification card.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Sept. 6, 2020, after investigating a domestic disturbance, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Backlund’s residence and located a number of firearms and imitation federal identification badges.
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They found one short-barreled, AR-style, .223 caliber rifle bearing no serial number and no branding. Attached to the rifle, they found a tan metal cylindrical device that law enforcement determined to be a silencer. Given the physical characteristics of the rifle and silencer, Backlund was required to, but did not, registered these items in the National Firearms Register and Transfer Record pursuant to the National Firearms Act.
Law enforcement officers also located two bi-fold wallets containing FBI Special Agent identification credentials bearing Backlund’s picture and personal information, a United States Marshals Service badge, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent badge, and a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent badge. All badges and identifications were imitations and Backlund did not have the authority to possess any of them.
The charge of possessing firearms not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of $10,000; the charge of unlawful possession of an official badge or identification card carries a maximum prison sentence of six months and a maximum fine of $5,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Messenger in Newark; special agents of the ATF Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; members of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and officers of the Ocean Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michal J. Rogalski, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
Newark Field Division
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of the federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.
Waiting Approval
This is the general idea
A very smart friend said if you have to raise your voice or insult another you have already lost the argument “You are the lesser man”.
Again with respect to all at Ammoland
God Bless respectfully
Criminal activity / In Pusnating law enforcement “Smuck”
Who alerted to the domestic disturbance at the residents home there is more to this story. The badges were imitation sold in flea markets & on line I am sure that having a collection of phony badges is not a crime.Connecting them with false ID with your name on the ID as a law enforcement agent that is illegal.
The feds did not hold back FBI DEA ATF US Marshals Ocean township police department no state police were involved.
I see the government thugs are bragging about armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping, and violation of rights again.
“All badges and identifications were imitations” and yet he was charged with “unlawful possession of an official badge or identification card”. Imitation literally means it was not real and, therefore, not official.
Yeah, who the hell would want to be thought to be an ATF agent. I’d rather have people think that I was a septic tank cleaner!
officers of the Ocean Township Police Department
Well that’s good news. I thought unregistered NFA items were 10 years and $250k per item. Still rest of my life if Kackla got her way, adding all standard capacity magazines and semiauto rifles to NFA. Since I would not comply – it could still result in a life sentence, but kids might still get some inheritance.
I know certain assets have special protections under Texas law, but don’t think any of that applies to Federal. Can they seize all marital property (home etc.), retirement accounts, and all else? Might need to give the kids their inheritance early.