Robert D. Roggentine, Jr., a 63-year-old resident of Bellevue, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for possession of unregistered firearms. The sentence was delivered on February 5, 2025, by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher in Omaha, Nebraska. This follows Roggentine's guilty plea to charges involving unregistered firearm silencers and short-barreled rifles.
According to United States Attorney Susan Lehr, "Roggentine forfeited 10 firearm silencers, four short-barreled rifles, and silencer components" as part of the prosecution. Following his prison term, Roggentine will undergo two years of supervised release.
The case began on March 14, 2024, when Bellevue Police Officers responded to a call at Roggentine’s home after he reported hallucinations and had discharged a handgun indoors. Officers noted his intoxicated state and found multiple firearms along with methamphetamine at the residence.
A search led to the seizure of several firearms and drug-related items. Officers also discovered firearm components including silencers and an instruction manual for building them.
On March 30, 2024, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant at Roggentine's home. They confiscated additional drug paraphernalia and unregistered firearm silencers showing signs of self-manufacture.
Roggentine admitted to using methamphetamine and marijuana regularly. He also disclosed storing more firearms at his brother-in-law's house due to concerns over potential self-harm or harm to others. These included an additional firearm silencer and four short-barreled rifles that were not registered in the National Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR).
The investigation was conducted by the ATF alongside the Bellevue Police Department.