imschur Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Associated PressUpdated Tuesday, February 8, 2011 NASHVILLE — Prosecutors say the owner and operators of a Tennessee weapons manufacturer have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they illegally exported firearms components to the United Kingdom.The 21-count indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, charging five individuals at Sabre Defence Industries LLC, a Nashville-based weapons manufacturer. Sabre, whose highest-volume client is the U.S. military, makes M16 rifles and .50-caliber machine-gun barrels.The indictment alleges that the five people were part of a conspiracy to illegally import and export firearms and components to and from the United States. They have been accused of violating the Arms Export Control Act.Prosecutors say the owner of Sabre, 42-year-old Guy Savage, directed the illegal activities from his home in the United Kingdom and from a related company, Sabre Defence Industries LTD, a UK-based weapons manufacturer and importer also owned by Savage.No one answered a call seeking comment at Sabre's Nashville office.Story ©2011, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 This has put a end to Steyr AUG/A3 SA production as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 That sucks, and it's very surprising - Sabre Defense isn't a "shady" company in the least. Shocking. :oI'm wondering if this didn't have something to do with them working on parts or pieces for the L129A1 (the LMT MWS) for the Brits, but not having the proper "clearances" or "licenses" to do so... <dontknow> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 I recall that when this all started there was employees stealing parts and selling them. with that came claims of poor practices regarding traceabilty of the parts. I believe they referred to the operation as very loose. We all know the devil is in the details when your dealing with weapons and the feds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Found out some more info: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 I think that info is from the initial troubles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sellmarkguy Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 I would approach any negative 'gun related' AP report with a heightened level of skepticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Heres more http://www.thetacticalwire.com/story/231466 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 This bothers me, but I'm not privy to the law of it all. Seems like they sent shipments from their own company in the US to their own company in the UK. The shady way of doing it bugs me, but it's within the company.The indictment alleges that each of the defendants conspired to intentionally violate the AECA by causing firearms components, which are listed as defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List (USML), to be exported from the United States to an international location without first obtaining a license or written authorization...WHAT "international location?" And without prior permission.According to the indictment, Savage allegedly repeatedly urged the other defendants and SDI-US employees to ship firearms components located in the United States to SDI-UK, without first obtaining an export license or permission. Okay, no license or permission. Within the parent company and subordinate company..."The investigation and indictment are an excellent example of how the United States Attorney's Office, the Criminal Division, HSI, ATF and international law enforcement agencies are working together to prevent firearms and firearm components from being diverted to locations around the world," Really? "Around the world?" Okay, so that's what these LE Agencies are trying to prevent, but was SDI "diverting firearms and firearm components around the world?" Or, within their own company?... News Media Sensationalism."The indictment and lengthy law enforcement activities in Tennessee, England and elsewhere send a clear message...""Elsewhere" WHERE?This whole thing stinks. Those guys doing shady chit is gonna bite them in the arse - that was stupid. This whole thing is stupid, really... :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 <munch> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Yeah, this kinda stuff gets me worked up. I did get my bag of 5 gas tube roll pins in today, so that makes me feel better... <laughs> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 "SERENITY NOW" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Yeah, this kinda stuff gets me worked up. I did get my bag of 5 gas tube roll pins in today, so that makes me feel better... <laughs>Woohoo! 5 new builds!!! Who was it that started a build from just a roll pin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Woohoo! 5 new builds!!! Who was it that started a build from just a roll pin?Yeah... that was me. Several times... :o <laughs> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Sabre Defence Executives Indicted on Illegal Gun Running Charges, and Company Assets Auctioned OffBy David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com February 17, 2011 Exactly one year ago tomorrow, DefenseReview (DR) reported on a BATFE raid on AR-15 rifle/carbine manufacturer Sabre Defence Industries over alleged illegal weapons sales. Well, things are once again getting pretty interesting over at Sabre Defence on the (criminal) legal side. On February 8, 2011, the Nashville Business Journal (NBJ) reported that five Sabre Defence executives, including Sabre’s “United Kingdom (UK)-based owner and self-proclaimed “Lord of War” Guy Savage, 42; Nashville President Charles Shearon, 55, of Ashland City; CFO Elmer Hill, 64, of Brentwood; Director of Sales Michael Curlett, 44, of Hermitage; and International Shipping and Purchasing Manager Arnold See, Jr., 54, of Antioch” were the beneficiaries of a 21-count federal indictment related to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). From the looks of it, the Sabre 5 are being charged with just about everything short of murder and kidnapping. To hear the U.S. Attorney tell it, you’d think the second incarnation of the Barker Gang was running the place. The indictment alleges that the Sabre 5 have “conspired to intentionally violate the AECA by exporting firearm components without a license or written authorization since 2003.” O.k., so that sounds bad. How did the defendants allegedly violate the law? According to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, the indicted individuals allegedly “falsified shipping records, concealed firearms components in false bottoms of shipping cartons and mislabled shipments to avoid scrutiny from customs and border control officers.” Ahhh, the old hide-the-weapons-components-in-the-secret-compartment trick. If the allegations are true, somebody obviously forgot to read Gun Running for Dummies and How to Smuggle Guns and Influence People, both of which specifically advise against this particular smuggling tactic. His Lordship (Savage) was recently arrested in England, and U.S. authorities are apparently requesting extradition. On February 17, 2011, it was reported that Savage stated that he’s guilty of violating certain firearms regulations, but not weapons smuggling, according to British media reports. While we’ve met Mr. Savage at past SHOT Shows, DefenseReview can’t really attest to the man’s character one way or the other. We don’t really know him. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but that’s about it. If he was hiding any illegal weapons in his pants on any of those occasions, we couldn’t tell. He was definitely wearing pants, though. Of the five indictees, Defense Review has had the most contact with Mike Curlett, who’s always been both curteous and professional with us, including recently at SHOT Show 2011. We should note that we’ve had zero contact with Mr. Curlett or anyone else at Sabre since the indictment was reported. DR hopes the allegations are false, and that the accused Sabre executives didn’t do what’s being alleged in the indictment. They’ve always been both nice and accommodating to us at their booth, and we do like their products. Anyway, that’s not the totality of the recent intrigue at Sabre. As if a five-man, 21-count federal indictment isn’t enough, and to add insult to injury, Sabre reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this week, and the company’s assets have apparently already been auctioned off. DR will try to find out who bought them. Sabre Defence has a reputation for making excellent products, including complete firearms (AR-15 rifles/carbines) and barrels. Their rifle/carbine offerings include gas piston/op-rod ARs that utilize Adams Arms piston system kits. DR has heard some very positive things about Sabre Defence products, so we hope the company can continue doing business under the new ownership. The one silver lining in all this is that Sabre is a British-owned company. So, if the allegations are eventually proven true, we can just blame it on the British. Speaking of the “Lord of War“, great movie. Disclaimer: Gun Running for Dummies and How to Smuggle Guns and Influence People are not actual books and don’t actually exist. They constitute artistic license by the author of this article. Company and Organization Contact Info: Sabre Defence Industries, LLC 450 Allied Drive Nashville, TN 37211 USA Phone: 615-333-0077 Fax: 615-333-6229 Email Contact Form Website: http://www.sabredefence.com Sabre Defence Industries, LTD Sabre House, Belvue Road Northolt UB5 5QJ UK phone: +44 (0) 20 8842 0603 fax: +44 (0) 20 8845 4814 Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney The United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Tennessee 110 Ninth Avenue, South Suite A961 Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: (615) 736-5151 Fax: (615) 736-5323 Email Webmaster: USATNM.Webmaster@usdoj.gov Website: http://www.justice.gov/usao/tnm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 This may be one of the ways the BO is going to close all firearm making, to bleed us dry of our beloved toy's .The Bastiges ! Interesting ,chapter 11 & all assets sold already , wounder who's name will be on the new title . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Sabre Defence on auction block Nashville Business Journal - by By Annie Johnson, Staff Writer Date: Friday, March 4, 2011, 12:50pm CST - Last Modified: Friday, March 4, 2011, 2:53pm CST Sabre Defence Industries is once again on the auction block, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Tennessee.A judge in the case has set a March 10 date for the sale of the beleaguered Nashville gun manufacturer, whose top executives were named in a 21-count indictment in early February.At an earlier proposed sale of Sabre, which was organized by Mississippi-based Cadance Bank, Alabama-based USA Manroy was the highest bidder at $2.3 million, followed by US Ordnance and Colt Defense. That sale was postponed when Sabre Defence filed in February for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Now, Manroy has upped its bid to $2.4 million although it's unclear in court documents just how much Colt is willing to pay.The sale is a result of an indictment that accused Sabre executives of violating the Arms Export Control Act. Company leaders are accused of falsifying shipping labels and using false bottoms in crates to hide firearms parts.Interested bidders can check out www.sabresale.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 You know Colt wants it, just for the .mil contracts Sabre already holds. Smart move on Colt's part, and they have the money to pull it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 You know Colt wants it, just for the .mil contracts Sabre already holds. Smart move on Colt's part, and they have the money to pull it off. If they dont have the money the State of CT will loan it to them...and ban more guns ::) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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