Warrenton Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of an Unregistered Firearm

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Seth Shaver, 26, of Warrenton, pleaded guilty today to possession of an unregistered firearm.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, on Aug. 24, 2016, officers of the Warrenton Police Department (WPD) responded to Shaver’s home for a report of a shooting. During a subsequent search, law enforcement recovered several firearms, including a 12-gauge pump action shotgun and two silencers.

On Oct. 22, 2016, law enforcement was again called to Shaver’s home for a report of a domestic disturbance. During a subsequent search, law enforcement recovered a semi-automatic rifle hidden in an air vent. The semi-automatic rifle was originally sold to Shaver as a pistol through a licensed federal firearms dealer. Shaver later modified the pistol into a short-barreled rifle.

Shaver faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when sentenced on June 9. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Louis Battle, Chief of Warrenton Police, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen E. García is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-306.