Owner of Strasburg business accepts plea deal in ammunition purchase case
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The owner of a Strasburg business accused of participating in a scheme involving the purchase of ammunition has accepted a plea deal.
William G. Timberlake, 51, of Bolivar, owner of G&R Tactical in Strasburg, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court to one count of attempted telecommunications fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor.
He and his co-defendant, Jeffrey A. Stearns, 48, of Port Washington, a former Bolivar police officer and a former Sugarcreek officer, had been charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony; one count of theft in office, a third-degree felony; one count of complicity in the commission of an offense, a third-degree felony; one count of money laundering, a third-degree felony; one count of telecommunications fraud, a fifth-degree felony; and two counts of unlawful transaction in weapons, a third-degree felony.
More on the case: Police officer, G&R Tactical owner plead not guilty in ammunition purchase case
Stearns also has been charged with one count of tampering with records, a third-degree felony; and one count of representation by a public official or employee, a first-degree misdemeanor. Timberlake was also facing a charge of fabrication in a theft offense, a fourth-degree felony.
As part of the plea agreement with Timberlake, the state agreed to drop seven of the charges and amend the telecommunications fraud charge to attempted telecommunications fraud.
State investigation
The Auditor of State’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) launched an investigation in February 2022 after receiving information about an officer using Bolivar’s tax-exempt status and law enforcement discounts to purchase ammunition.
SIU determined that, during the coronavirus pandemic, when the private sale of ammunition was scarce, Stearns falsified documents to complete the ammunition purchase, allegedly for use by the Bolivar Police Department. The rounds, however, were picked up by Timberlake, and the Bolivar department had no knowledge of the transactions and received no ammunition for use by its officers.
Timberlake could face up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. He could also be made to pay restitution. He will be sentenced by Judge Michael Ernest at 9 a.m. March 26.
A pretrial hearing for Stearns is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday in Judge Ernest's court.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: G&R Tactical owner pleads guilty in ammunition purchase case
