Dade City Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Machine Gun Possession Amid Hostage Claims

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By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published March 20th, 2024

TAMPA, FL – In a case that combines elements of high drama with serious federal weapons offenses, Stewart Walter Bachmann, a 55-year-old resident of Dade City, has entered a guilty plea to charges of possessing a machine gun and a firearm lacking a serial number. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Bachmann now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 4, 2024.

According to court records, on August 5, 2023, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call from Bachman who told the dispatcher that he was being held hostage and was going to be “put under” by people who were able to walk through the “5^th dimension.” As the call progressed, Bachmann also stated there was “going to be something like 9/11,” and there was currently an invisible person in the backseat of his vehicle. Pasco Sheriff’s deputies made contact with Bachmann near the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall. When deputies began speaking with Bachmann, he told them that the CIA was planning a politically motivated mass shooting at the mall. When deputies asked Bachmann if he was going to be the one committing the shooting, he indicated he didn’t know or hadn’t been told that yet.

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A subsequent search of Bachmann’s residence by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) unveiled several firearms, including a modified AR-15 type rifle (RAK15) capable of automatic fire. The modifications included an automatic sear not registered in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, making Bachmann's possession of the weapon unlawful. Additionally, a machine gun conversion device was discovered, which also lacked registration and a serial number.

Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman is leading the prosecution, with the forfeiture aspect being managed by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench. The case represents a significant collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies, underlining the ongoing efforts to tackle illegal firearms possession and safeguard community safety.

Bachmann’s case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation. PSN underscores a collaborative approach to law enforcement, combining federal, state, and local resources with community outreach to prevent crime and ensure neighborhoods remain safe for all residents. The Department of Justice's violent crime reduction strategy, revitalized on May 26, 2021, emphasizes trust-building within communities, support for organizations working to prevent violence, strategic enforcement priorities, and the importance of measuring outcomes to ensure the effectiveness of its initiatives.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

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