An Army lieutenant colonel was arrested and charged Thursday over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of firearms parts from several foreign countries including Russia.
Frank Ross Talbert, 40, was indicted on 21 counts including importing defense articles without a license, smuggling firearms parts into the U.S., and dealing in firearms without a license.
Talbert, who pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, was released from custody on conditions restricting his travels and allowing supervision.
The suspect is a lieutenant colonel with the Army’s Explosives Ordinance Disposal at Fort Campbell.
Investigators alleged that Talbert smuggled parts of AK-style firearms without a license violating the Arms Export Control Act.
He also is accused of importing 55 inert rifle grenades and illegally owning AK-47 machine guns.
The indictment added that he imported the parts from Russia, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
If found guilty of the charges, Talbert could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
