Editors Note: The following press release is directly from ATF. Regular readers of AmmoLand News know our stance on the unaccountable Federal Agency: No comment. We invite our readers to leave their hard-hitting insights in the comments below.
TRENTON, N.J. – -(Ammoland.com)- An Ocean County, New Jersey, man today admitted unlawfully possessing a privately manufactured short barrel rifle, a silencer, and five imitation badges of various federal agencies, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jeffrey Backlund, 57, of Waretown, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with unlawfully possessing firearms that were not registered in the National Firearms Register and Transfer Record, and unlawful possession of an official badge or identification card.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Sept. 6, 2020, after investigating a domestic disturbance, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Backlund’s residence and located a number of firearms and imitation federal identification badges.
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They found one short-barreled, AR-style, .223 caliber rifle bearing no serial number and no branding. Attached to the rifle, they found a tan metal cylindrical device that law enforcement determined to be a silencer. Given the physical characteristics of the rifle and silencer, Backlund was required to, but did not, registered these items in the National Firearms Register and Transfer Record pursuant to the National Firearms Act.
Law enforcement officers also located two bi-fold wallets containing FBI Special Agent identification credentials bearing Backlund’s picture and personal information, a United States Marshals Service badge, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent badge, and a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent badge. All badges and identifications were imitations and Backlund did not have the authority to possess any of them.
The charge of possessing firearms not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of $10,000; the charge of unlawful possession of an official badge or identification card carries a maximum prison sentence of six months and a maximum fine of $5,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Messenger in Newark; special agents of the ATF Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; members of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and officers of the Ocean Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michal J. Rogalski, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
Newark Field Division
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of the federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.
I see the government thugs are bragging about armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping, and violation of rights again.
“All badges and identifications were imitations” and yet he was charged with “unlawful possession of an official badge or identification card”. Imitation literally means it was not real and, therefore, not official.
Yeah, who the hell would want to be thought to be an ATF agent. I’d rather have people think that I was a septic tank cleaner!
Yet you cover for local cops who do ATF’s bidding, and you want everyone to forget their victims.
I believe that you have me confused with someone else … again.
Nice try.
And then there are these folks who were murdered and never had a trial and were not considered innocent before proven guilty. –David Koresh, 33 –Rachel Jones, 23 –Cyrus Koresh, 8 –Star Koresh, 5 –Dayland Gent, 3 –Serenity Sea Jones, 4 –Startle Summers, 1 –Bobbie Lane Koresh, 2 –Natalie Nobrega, 11 –Lisa Martin, 13 –Sheila Martin, 15 –Abigail Martinez, 11 –Audrey Martinez, 13 –Crystal Martinez, 3 –Isaiah Martinez, 4 –Joseph Martinez, 8 –Mayanah Schneider, 2 –Hollywood Sylvia, 2 –Rachel Sylvia, 13 –Steve Schneider, 43 –Judy Schneider, 41 –Sherri Lynn Jewell, 43 –David Michael Jones, 38 –Jeffrey Little, 31 –Nicole Elizabeth… Read more »
Please to all involved Respectfully Please the in fighting it is very demoralizing to everyone here I am asking as a gentleman. There is no need to respond to this request or vote in any manner. In fact I never vote up or down I respond to those whom have a different thought to what I have written. Sir if you feel so strongly about the misfortune of those wronged by law enforcement please write a hit piece. Then submit it to Ammoland or another magazine that will print it. Maybe even the news media or You Tube. Supply all… Read more »
Who me … write a hit piece? I don’t think so.
Have you proof that WB covers for local cops? Again, you have gone around the bend with lies and innuendos. You need to come up with a different schtick. This one is getting monotonous, and is making you look like the fool you are.
Don’t be coy. You both do, by trashing those who mention their victims. The evidence is here for all to see.
Well, then it should not be too difficult to show some.
But it would be too difficult for you to be honest about why you paTROLL & attack me and others.
No one trolls you. You are impossible to avoid. The reason that you draw criticism is that you insult others. Act like an adult and you will get treated like an adult.
Nice projection. Stop blaming your victims.
SAY HIS NAME.
2B clear, insults like this?
“I’m sure you’re an expert on sucking, bro.” ~Wild Bill
“They’re all shagging each other in a San Francisco apt.” ~Oldman
“He’ll have to go back to his lonely masturbation, not his mutual masturbation sock pup club. His hand will get very tired.” ~Oldman
“WB, none of the 3 Amigos has enough juice in the old scrotum to get anywhere near a real man like you.” ~Oldman
“Probly couldn’t get crack today. I mean smoking, not the other kind. I doubt he ever gets that.” ~Oldman
You said that the issue was covering for local police.
No, your insults are sleazy, and a product of a sordid mind.
“I’m sure you’re an expert on sucking, bro.” ~Wild Bill
Apparently you are unable to see anything but what your paranoid and limited capacity brain cells tell you, Schizo breath.
More evasion. Don’t quit your glow job.
This is why others oppose you.
Uh huh. “Others” = Your 20-Sock-Team Downvote posse. Stop blaming your victims.
SAY HER NAME
My victims were the enemies of the United States, and were probably named Mohamed or some variation of Mohamed.
That’s your legend, anyway.
By covering for Oathbreakers, you enable them & make their victims your victims.
Say WHAT? You were invading another country and consider those that were defending themselves as enemies of the United States? You are ill. Mentally addled fool. You were a MURDERER killing people trying to DEFEND THEMSELVES from an invading army.
I spent almost half of my life in the army. That is pretty good company.
Oh, I see. I’d still rather people thought that I cleaned septic systems than have people think that I was an ATF agent.
I’d rather have spent half my life cleaning septic systems then to be in the UNCONSTITUTIONAL standing army.
Even if what you write were true, it was still pretty good company. Respectfully, please see Art. I, section 8, clauses 1 and 12.
True, most times when the scum rose to the surface, they were taken care of off of the record!!!!!
I’d rather have a sister in a Whorehouse that have a brother in the ATF!
First you state the badges are IMITATION. Law states a official badge. Seems clear cut to me. Unless he was caught trying to use the badges, you shouldn’t have a case. It’s like owning a phony Bill Clinton $3.00 bill. Unless you try to spend it. WHERE’S THE CASE ? As far as the firearm unless he threatened someone where’s the problem ? Oh yeah the ATF didn’t get their 10%
Arny; I agree. With one additional application of law. WAS the man LEGALLY ABLE to OWN “guns”? IF YES, then, again, there IS NO CASE!!!!!
He’s in NJ, that says it all!!!!!!!!!!!
Eyyyyyyyyy….. Fuggedaboutit !!
Nutin’ to see here…. Capisce?
If he is a free US citizen, he should be sble to own guns. “Legally” should not be a thing. If any debt to society/the State has not been paid, he should have remained incarcerated.
Did he misuse the rifle? If not, there should be no violation. Shorter barrels lessen velocity and accuracy. Why that should be illegal is beyond me. And wanting to lessen the report of a firearm is a sensible proposition. I’ve lost about half my hearing from firearms reports. These are technical violations of a law which should not exist.
Now, as to having badges for the AFT, that might show insanity or a lack of moral fiber. No one should want to be associated with that agency.
What do you think about the moral fiber of the Ocean Township police who worked with the BATFE to arrest this dangerous criminal?
https://memes.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/8fa86d62-de84-488f-a6ad-579ceb689260/gif
“That’s different.”
“That’s a bad analogy because it’s not the same thing.”
Well that’s good news. I thought unregistered NFA items were 10 years and $250k per item. Still rest of my life if Kackla got her way, adding all standard capacity magazines and semiauto rifles to NFA. Since I would not comply – it could still result in a life sentence, but kids might still get some inheritance.
I know certain assets have special protections under Texas law, but don’t think any of that applies to Federal. Can they seize all marital property (home etc.), retirement accounts, and all else? Might need to give the kids their inheritance early.
Criminal activity / In Pusnating law enforcement “Smuck”
Who alerted to the domestic disturbance at the residents home there is more to this story. The badges were imitation sold in flea markets & on line I am sure that having a collection of phony badges is not a crime.Connecting them with false ID with your name on the ID as a law enforcement agent that is illegal.
The feds did not hold back FBI DEA ATF US Marshals Ocean township police department no state police were involved.
Unless I’m sorely mistaken, ownership of law enforcement badges/IDs is not a crime anywhere. It’s a crime only if such badges/IDs are used to misidentify a civilian as a law enforcement member.
There I thought criminal charges had to be based on action, not intent.
Of course AFT has become thought police, so that intent to make something makes the parts already equivalent to what you are making (suppressor, SBR, firearm, or whatever)..
Depends on what the statute says. It used to by that every crime required mens rea and actus reus.
Could have just been sitting on a beanbag chair in his mancave, playing with his badges, daydreaming about a life he had not led.
I have seen real badges that people have collected , would think as long as you dont present it as yours they are just like other collectables
“Domestic disturbance”? I bet his woman ratted him off. It is probably an AR with an arm brace.
“charging him with unlawfully possessing firearms that were not registered in the National Firearms Register and Transfer Record”
I though there is no gun registration? Hmmmmm.
, both should be held accountable. Laws should be followed by both the Government and the people.
“Laws should be followed by both the Government and the people.”
Which laws?
Waiting Approval
This is the general idea
A very smart friend said if you have to raise your voice or insult another you have already lost the argument “You are the lesser man”.
Again with respect to all at Ammoland
God Bless respectfully
Sounds like a nothing burger. Possession, in a private residence? Whoopie, shouldn’t be a crime. The whole badge donneybrook would have probably been dismissed.
I’m feeling so much safer! What in the world could have been on the search warrant that allows them to use these items against the guy? I guess we will never know. Maybe the “domestic” disturbance was the nexus as the other person ratted him out.
Sounds like the dubious possession of official ID thing is thrown in there to convince people not to object to the enforcement of unconstitutional malum prohibitum law.
officers of the Ocean Township Police Department