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Billings man admits using excavator to break into firearms business

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Erik Stephen Deaner
Erik Stephen Deaner: court documents
Posted at 8:38 AM, Dec 30, 2021
and last updated 2021-12-30 10:45:29-05

Erik Stephen Deaner of Billings, accused of stealing firearms from a business after breaking in by using a construction excavator to tear down a section of wall and door, admitted in federal court on Wednesday to a firearms crime.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Deaner pleaded guilty to theft from a federal firearm licensee.

Prosecutors alleged that on October 21, Deaner stole firearms from Castle Arms, a federal firearms licensee in Lockwood, by using a construction excavator to tear down a section of wall and door.

The excavator had been taken from a nearby construction site. Construction site employees told law enforcement that the excavator had been locked and no keys were missing but that the key was universal so anyone with the manufacturer’s key could potentially access the excavator.

An investigation determined that five pistols and one antique rifle had been stolen and that Deaner had been in the business previously and had behaved "oddly."

Investigators went to Deaner’s home and arrested him on an outstanding warrant when he came outside.

Deaner admitted to using the excavator to break into the business and to stealing the firearms.

Deaner said he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms but that he liked firearms. All of the stolen firearms were recovered from his garage.

Deaner faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

Deaner, 46 years old, remains in custody pending further proceedings. A sentencing date is pending before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters.