Man indicted on charges of stealing guns
A Loyalsock Township man was indicted Thursday on charges related to breaking into a Muncy gun dealership and later trying to sell 48 packs of heroin to an individual.
Samuel J. Bozochovic, 36, allegedly broke into R&J Welch gun store on Feb. 8, according to U.S. Attorney Bruce Brandler.
Bozochovic, who appeared in an orange prison suit before U.S. District Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle III, allegedly stole 11 handguns from the store inventory, five of which were discovered during a search of Bozochovic’s apartment, with six of the guns not recovered, Brandler said.
Bozochovic entered the store early in the morning and pried open a door to get inside, according to authorities.
Later the same day of the burglary, Bozochovic was apprehended in the course of distributing heroin to another person, Brandler said.
Bozochovic was arrested on Feb. 9, and brought before Arbuckle where he initially was detained pending further proceedings.
Bozochovic faces charges of theft of firearms from a federally licensed gun dealer, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute heroin, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel.
Bozochovic also has an open criminal trespass charge against him pending in Lycoming County Court.
Jury selection on the alleged gun theft and drug charges is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 1 before U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann
“Stolen guns are quickly sold into the black market as a tool-of the-trade for criminals who frequently use them in violent acts,” Brandler said.
“The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives will use our resources to protect the public by identifying and arresting thieves who divert guns into the hands of criminals, which then fuels violence in our communities,” said Sam Rabadi, ATF special agent in charge.
Joining in the investigaton were the state police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case. Bozochovic was represented by city-based attorney Robert Hoffa.
The case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership, a districtwide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the district.
Led by Brandler’s office, the partnership consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.