SEATTLE – Joey Maillet was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle with two counts of theft in connection with the burglary of Fred’s Guns in Sequim and All American Armory in Skagit County.
In both cases, Maillet, 38, is accused of using stolen vehicles to smash through the doors of the businesses and driving away with a total of 39 firearms. Only one of the stolen firearms has been recovered. Both burglaries occurred in the Spring of this year.
DNA evidence recovered from blood left on broken glass at Fred’s Guns, along with fingerprints left at both stores and a stolen handgun found in his possession connect Maillet to the crimes.
On May 10, a Ferndale Police Officer arrested Maillet on an outstanding warrant for a burglary in Everett.
He was held on state charges in Clallam County in connection with the Fred’s Guns burglary. Those charges were dismissed last week in favor of federal prosecution.
Theft from a federal firearms licensee is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Sequim Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, Ferndale Police Department, and Washington State Parks Rangers.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin H. Becker with assistance from Clallam County Deputy Prosecutor Jesse Espinoza.
Photo; Maillet appears in Clallam County Superior Court beside Public Defense Attorney Harry Gasnick.