A former Key West firefighter made his initial appearance in federal court to face an indictment charging him with the possession of a destructive device and possession of a short-barreled rifle.
According to the indictment, 38-year-old Vincent Michael Vega was in possession of a combination of parts used in converting a device into a destructive device, i.e. an explosive bomb or similar device on March 14th. Vega was also in possession of a modified semi-automatic rifle, which had a barrel of less than 16 inches.
The firearms were not registered to Vega in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Gordon Mallory of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
ATF Miami is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hannah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
