CONCORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – A Jaffrey man has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and homemade weapons, following a federal court ruling.
Luke Czekalski, 38, received a 40-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing unregistered firearms, including machine guns and homemade silencers, according to a news release.
The sentencing, handed down by Chief Judge Landya McCafferty, comes after Czekalski’s November 2022 arrest when state parole officers conducted a surprise search of his residence. The search revealed an arsenal of illegal weapons stored in his basement, including homemade firearms, loaded magazines, and body armor. Assistance from the Jaffrey Police Department and subsequent testing determined three of the firearms were capable of fully automatic fire, classifying them as machine guns under federal law, the release said.
Czekalski, a convicted felon, was prohibited from owning firearms due to a previous conviction. Despite these legal restrictions, authorities found he had amassed a stockpile of dangerous weapons. U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting that felons with access to such weapons pose a significant threat to public safety.
James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston ATF Field Division, echoed the concerns, citing the growing problem of illegally modified firearms capable of automatic fire. The ATF, along with the Jaffrey Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, played a pivotal role in the investigation and removal of the weapons.
Czekalski’s arrest and conviction highlight ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to crack down on the illegal possession of firearms, especially among individuals with prior felony convictions. The investigation was a collaborative effort, with contributions from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, and forensic experts.
