A Lookout Valley man with 143 guns at his home has been sentenced to serve 12 months in federal prison and pay a $30,000 fine.
David L. Crane, who had pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, appeared before Judge Sandy Mattice.
His attorney, Stevie Phillips, noted that the felony was an aggravated assault dating back to 1994 - "almost a quarter century ago." She said it was from a time when he was on drugs, but she said he has been clean for many years.
The judge was told that the guns and stockpile of ammunition had been acquired by Crane's wife as an investment because she believed that one day the government was going to take away the right to buy ammunition.
Judge Mattice said, "I have a real question on whether this case was worth bringing in the first place."
The prosecution and defense had agreed on the year sentence - far below his sentencing guideline of 78-97 months.
Judge Mattice said the arrest would not have happened had Crane gotten his state arrest expunged. Attorney Phillips said that idea had been explored by prior attorneys, but Crane had some probation violations that extended the time of the case.
The judge also said that comments by his wife at a gun shop with an ATF officer present might also have led to the investigation and arrest. The officer was there to buy a personal gun at the time the wife was buying several guns and more ammunition.
Prosecutor Chris Poole said the Cranes had gotten on ATF's radar by the large gun and ammunition purchases - especially since he was still listed as a convicted felon.
Crane was interviewed by ATF at his office on July 28, 2015. There was a loaded shotgun at his office that he said he bought before his conviction and gave to his father. It was kept at the office for protection, he said.
He admitted there were four firearms at his home that were in common areas of the house. He said there was one in his nightstand, one in his wife's nightstand, one near a gun safe and one in the kitchen.
He said there were gun safes at his home that contained a total of over 100 guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He said his wife kept the combination to the gun safes at her place of business.
Crane said he led a reckless life earlier, but had gone clean 15 years ago. He said he had been blessed with a family and a company he operates.
He will report to prison on Feb. 27.