20-Year-Old Norwich Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Unregistered Short-Barreled Rifle

He was sentenced to eight months in federal prison. Following his prison sentence, he will serve a three-year term of supervised release.

A 20-year-old Norwich resident was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman. The sentencing was handed down by Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd.

Benjamin Wheeler admitted to possessing a Spikes Tactical AR-15-style rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches at his apartment in Norwich on August 6, 2024. According to court records, Wheeler acknowledged that the firearm was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a requirement for short-barreled rifles under federal law.

Following his prison sentence, Wheeler will serve a three-year term of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New York Police Department, and the New York State Police, with assistance from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown prosecuted the case.