A former Key West firefighter appeared in federal courtroom on Might 30 to face an indictment charging him with the possession of a damaging machine and possession of a short-barreled rifle.
Primarily based on the investigation, Vincent Michael Vega has been charged with possession of a damaging machine, unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle and open carrying of a firearm.
U.S. Lawyer Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and performing Particular Agent in Cost Gordon Mallory of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Discipline Division, made the announcement.
In line with the indictment, on March 14, a visitors cease in Key West led police to seek out 38-year-old Vega in possession of a mixture of components utilized in changing a tool right into a damaging machine, i.e. an explosive bomb or related machine. Vega was additionally in possession of a modified semi-automatic rifle, which had a barrel of lower than 16 inches. The firearms weren’t registered to Vega within the Nationwide Firearm Registration and Switch Report, as required beneath federal legislation.
Key West police stopped Vega within the 3800 block of Flagler Avenue for driving 69 mph in a 30-mph zone. Throughout the cease, officers noticed a loaded, short-barreled AR-15 rifle in plain view inside Vega’s car. The rifle, with a 7.5-inch barrel, is classed as a federally regulated firearm requiring correct registration. Vega admitted to modifying the weapon and didn’t possess the required tax stamp for authorized possession.
Moreover, Vega confirmed indicators of alcohol consumption. A member of the family informed police that Vega owned a major variety of firearms. He was arrested for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and open carrying of a firearm.
Because of issues for public security, patrol officers pursued a Danger Safety Order (RPO) to forestall Vega from possessing firearms.
Following the issuance of the RPO, detectives with KWPD’s Felony Investigations Division obtained a search warrant for Vega’s residence at 1543 4th St., Key West. The warrant, authorised by Decide Timothy Koenig, sought to find firearms, ammunition and associated supplies.
Throughout the search, officers found:
- Some 20 firearms (pistols and rifles).
- 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
- A PVC pipe bomb with a purple fuse.
- A number of digital storage units, Faraday baggage (which block electromagnetic radiation), and exterior exhausting drives.
- Explosive investigation guidebook.
- Chemical supplies and instruments in line with manufacturing explosives.
Because of the presence of a possible explosive machine, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace Bomb Squad was known as to the scene. All properties inside a 300-foot radius had been evacuated for precaution. Additional investigation revealed extra gadgets in line with explosive manufacturing, together with potassium chlorate, aluminum shavings and detailed diagrams of Key West’s wastewater and stormwater pump stations.
On March 17, brokers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted with the investigation and decided that the supplies seized might be readily assembled right into a damaging machine, assembly the authorized definition of an explosive bomb beneath
federal legislation.
ATF Miami is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Lawyer Elizabeth Hannah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed harmless till confirmed responsible past an inexpensive doubt in a courtroom of legislation.