By Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First
A Franklin County firearms dealer is facing rare state gun charges after an inspection by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found multiple possible violations of Vermont gun sale laws, police said.
Matthew Williams, operator of Deep Woods Mafia firearms in Sheldon has been ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans on Jan. 14 to enter a plea, state police said this week.
During a federal inspection at the retailer at 833 Machia Road, Williams was found in violation of state background and transfer regulations, State Trooper Adam Martin maintained.
Most gun crimes uncovered by local and state police in Vermont are federal violations and are sent on to the ATF to seek prosecution in U.S. District Court.
The Williams case is a rare flip-flop. Eight possible gun violations were uncovered by federal investigators, who alerted State Police Lt. Michael Filipek, the station commander for Franklin County, for consideration of criminal prosecution in Vermont courts, police said.
Williams, 44, told Vermont News First on Tuesday it was a simple mishap with his paperwork. He said the inspection was the first ATF audit of his logbooks since he opened his business in 2010. He said he was told the violations apparently go back several years.
Williams said he was unaware of any other licensed Vermont gun dealer ever facing similar charges. Williams said he was surprised his case became public because an ATF agent had told him it was a confidential process.
Vermont has limited gun laws and most pertain to fish and game violations, including carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle or firing too close to the road.
Martin said the ATF forwarded its findings on Nov. 4 from a regulatory inspection to the Vermont State Police.
Martin said the investigation continued and police confirmed there were several state violations when the ATF made its inspection.
Under Vermont law, a person shall not transfer a firearm to another person without a proper background check. The licensed dealer facilitating the transfer cannot sell a firearm unless a unique identification number is provided for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
The criminal case was reviewed by the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s office and a decision was made to proceed with the prosecution, Martin said.
It was unclear how many counts the prosecution will file at the court arraignment. Each misdemeanor charge carries a potential one year prison term and a $500 fine, he said.