Convicted felon charged for possession of homemade guns, pipe bombs

A Kentucky court dropped weapons charges against a convicted felon so he could be charged in federal court instead, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

Michael C. Beck, 28, has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

Beck, who was previously convicted of a 2nd degree felony out of Bastrop County, Texas, in 2007, was charged by criminal complaint in January, then indicted by a grand jury in February. He is accused of illegally possessing multiple firearms, including a sawed off shotgun, as well as homemade bombs and a homemade gun.

According to court documents, the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections Home Incarceration Program received a tip that weapons, including possible explosives, were located at Beck’s Louisville residence with which he shared with a roommate who was also on HIP.

On January 13, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department went to the residence to serve Beck with an Emergency Protection Order and perform a home inspection with the assistance of the Louisville Metro Police and Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Beck consented to the search of his bedroom.

Authorities found Beck in possession of two homemade pipe bombs, a homemade 12-gauge pipe gun, and four additional firearms, which included a Harrington and Richardson, Model Topper 88, 12-gauge shotgun, with a barrel length of less than 18 inches; a Mossberg Model 500, 12-gauge shotgun; a Ruger, Model P95DC, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol; and a Heritage Model Rough Rider, .22 caliber revolver.

Beck will stand trial for his charges, which is scheduled to begin June 12, and if convicted, could collectively face a fine of up to $1.25 million, as well as 50 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised released.

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