After one day of trial testimony last month, former Springdale Town Marshall, Jeremy James Adams, pleaded guilty to one count of Theft of a Firearm and two counts of Trafficking in Stolen Property in the First Degree as a result of crimes he committed involving the theft and sale of three firearms. Two of the firearms were stolen from the Springdale Police Department and Adams purchased the third, supposedly for the department. However, the Town Council never authorized the purchase or sale of the weapons and did not know about the thefts until the town received an invoice of $15,000 for a rare sniper rifle.

On August 19, Mr. Adams returned to court and paid restitution before being sentenced by Stevens County Superior Court Judge Allen C. Nielson. After a short sentencing hearing, Judge Nielson sentenced the defendant to serve 27 months in prison, at the high end of the sentence range. The judge said he based this decision on Mr. Adams status as a law enforcement officer.

Restitution in the amount of $14,300 was paid to three men who unknowingly purchased the stolen firearms from Adams, including a collector from Montana who paid $14,000 for the rare Heckler and Koch PSG-1 sniper rifle. The sniper rifle was returned to the seller, while two other firearms were returned to the Springdale Police Department. The defendant was also required to partially reimburse the Stevens County Prosecutor’s Office for trial expenses and must pay court costs and fees.

The prosecutor’s office worked closely with Springdale town officials in prosecuting the case. Mayor James Sullivan and former Mayor Doug Buche testified during the first day of the trial. Town Clerk Lisa Sheppard and current Marshall Michael Kessler provided extensive assistance to the investigation. Stevens County Sheriff Kendle Allen, detective Mike George and Special Deputy Andy Caster investigated the case.

At sentencing, Judge Nielson also referenced a written statement provided by Springdale Town Councilman John Kokinda who requested that the court sentence Mr. Adams to the maximum sentence possible because of his trusted position as the town’s only full-time law enforcement officer.

Law enforcement officials personally recognized Frank Perry, a gun dealer from Spokane, for his assistance with the case.

Defense attorney Robert Cossey of Spokane represented Mr. Adams.