BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted a Russellville man for possessing unregistered explosive devices and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and ATF Special Agent in Charge Glenn Anderson.

The two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges that WILLIAM RAY HINES, 43, who has a prior burglary conviction, possessed various types of ammunition. The indictment also charges him with possessing pineapple-grenade styled explosive devices, which were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

“Through our educational prisoner re-entry efforts and prosecutions like this one, we want to make it clear to the community and potential defendants that federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Period,” Vance said. “Also, individuals who manufacture or possess explosive devices, devices which can be destructive and deadly, are in violation of federal law. This office will work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those individuals,” Vance said.

The maximum prison sentence for both counts is 10 years.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell E. Penfield is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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