Man pleads guilty to federal weapons charges

A Franklin County man arrested in early March for housing what officials called an “arsenal” of explosive materials pleaded guilty to two federal charges in May.

William Ray Hines, 43, 19118 U.S. 43, Russellville, pleaded guilty to possessing unregistered explosive devices and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.

According to reports, the 12 pineapple grenades found in Hines’ residence were not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

According to Franklin county Sheriff Shannon Oliver, officers received a tip on March 4 that Hines was storing explosive materials at his residence and that he could be planning to use them to harm members of the community.

After receiving the tip, Oliver said investigators secured and executed a search warrant at Hines’ residence where officers discovered 12 pineapple-type grenades, 100 feet of cannon wire, a large quantity of ammunition and assault magazines for firearms, two smoke grenades and other various explosive materials.

Authorities said Hines had been making threats to use the explosives to harm people in the area and he posed a serious threat to the community.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said the federal prosecution of Hines’ case means his case with the state will be dismissed.

“Cases cannot be prosecuted by the state and the federal government at the same time,” Rushing said.

Local authorities exercised a search warrant at Hines’ home while the long haul truck driver was out of town. Officers with the Virginia State Police, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Marshall’s Service were able to apprehend Hines at a truck stop on Interstate 81 in Virginia about 30 miles north of the Tennessee state line.

He faces up to 10 years in prison on each federal charge.