FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
VICTOR PATACSIL PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on November 6, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, VICTOR PATACSIL, a 59-year-old resident of Havre/Box Elder, pled guilty to being in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Sentencing is set for February 4, 2008. He is currently released on special conditions.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On December 14, 2004, Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force agents obtained a search warrant for PATACSIL'S residence in Box Elder. During the search of PATACSIL'S residence, agents located ten firearms, including two that had obliterated serial numbers.
The firearms with the obliterated serial numbers were a Raven Arms, 25 automatic pistol, Model P-25, and a Mauser model 98 rifle.
During a later interview, PATACSIL admitted to agents that he knew that the serial number on at least one of the above firearms had been obliterated.
PATACSIL faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
