Rhode Island Man Charged with Possessing Unregistered Machine Gun

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on August 8, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging  Brenden Sackal, 31, of Rockville, Rhode Island, with possessing an unregistered machine gun and possessing a machine gun lacking an identification number, in violation of the National Firearms Act.

Sackal’s federal arraignment date has not yet been set. Sackal was scheduled to appear in Caledonia Superior Court today on related charges.

According to court records, Sackal is alleged to have knowingly possessed an unregistered machine gun that lacked a serial number, specifically a privately manufactured 5.56 caliber AR-type pistol, on July 14, 2024. The National Firearms Act requires registration of machine guns, as well as other specific types of dangerous weapons, and requires those types of dangerous weapons to be identified by serial number.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Sackal is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Sackal faces up to 10 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vermont State Police. United States Attorney Kerest also commended the actions of United States Border Patrol, United States Customs and Border Protection, the Vermont State Police, and the Orleans County Sherriff’s Office in apprehending Sackal on July 14, 2024.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Sackal is not yet represented on the federal charges.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.