Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hunts granted probation for violation of federal firearms regulations

Felonies reduced to misdemeanors in plea deal

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MANSFIELD – Four members of a prominent Douglas County wheat ranching family were given probation last Thursday, Dec. 7, stemming from a 2016 indictment for violating federal firearms regulations.
Terry Hunt, 73, his wife, Mary Hunt, 72, and sons, Russell, 53, and Derek, 47, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the illegal purchase and sale of firearms and received five years’ probation plus monetary fines.
Mary Hunt is a former two-term Douglas County Commissioner. Terry Hunt is a past master of the Washington State Grange.
The Hunts, whose wheat and cattle ranch is a fixture on Sims Corner at the junction of State Routes 172 and 17, 12 miles east of Mansfield, pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding and abetting a false entry by a firearms dealer.
The lawful designation of “firearms dealer” was a pivotal part of the government’s case.
According to a guide published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a federal firearms license (FFL) is required “if you repetitively buy and sell firearms with the principal motive of making a profit…”
The Hunts transacted firearms sales at the Big Reno Firearms Show and ATF agents had earlier advised the Hunts that an FFL was required to purchase and sell firearms at the Nevada gun show. Over the past several years agents made a number of undercover firearms purchases from the Hunts that culminated in charges filed by the U.S. Attorney.
Late in 2015, ATF agents raided the Hunts’ properties and seized more than 100 firearms that were later itemized on the indictment.
The original 16-count indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Spokane last December charged the Hunts with two counts of conspiracy to deal firearms without an FFL and, in the absence of an FFL, 14 counts of making false statements on an ATF form relating to possession and use of a purchased firearm.
In addition to probation the Hunts were ordered to pay fines ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 and forfeit some of the seized firearms. The felony charges were dismissed

mansfield, Hunts, firearms violation, probation

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