LAS VEGAS - - THOMAS HIRATA, age 61, of Pahrump, Nevada, was sentenced on Monday, June 12, 2006, by U.S. District Judge Brian E. Sandoval, to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for his guilty pleas to four counts of Transferring a Machine Gun, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

According to the plea memorandum, on July 13 and July 23, 2004, HIRATA knowingly transferred four machine guns to other persons without submitting a written application and subsequently obtaining approval of the Attorney General of the United States.

HIRATA was indicted on September 29, 2004, and arrested at his residence at 5241 E. Old Spanish Trail Court, in Pahrump, Nevada, on October 8, 2004. Fifteen machine guns and a short-barreled rifle were recovered from the residence. All of the 9 mm STEN-type machine guns were hand assembled from kits by HIRATA in his residence. STEN-type machine guns were commonly used by armed forces in the Second World War.

MR. HIRATA has been released on bond since the time of his arrest. He must self-report to federal prison no later than August 11, 1006.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Reed.

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