BOULDER, Colo.—One of two Colorado Army National Guard members arrested by federal authorities is a Boulder police officer accused of stealing two Army-issued assault rifle silencers while serving as a staff sergeant with the Guard.
Patrol officer Eric Shunglik Lee, 33, is on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation, Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner told the Daily Camera () on Wednesday.
“If the allegations are proven, he’ll be terminated,” Beckner said.
Lee and fellow Guard member Spc. Matthew Colin Laflin, 25, of Northglenn were arrested last week following a monthlong investigation by federal agents.
Lee is accused of stealing two .223-caliber silencers designed to fit an M-4/AR-15-style assault rifle from the Army and giving them to Laflin, according to federal court documents. Laflin is accused of selling them this fall for a total of $800 to an informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Lee, who has been on the Boulder police force since January 2010, is charged with stealing from the Department of Defense and possessing firearms silencers not registered to him.
Laflin is charged with receiving and concealing federal property and with possessing silencers not registered to him.
Both pleaded not guilty Wednesday and are free on unsecured $10,000 bonds.
Both are part-time guardsmen with B company, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment in Fort Lupton. They could face up to 10 years in prison on each count, if convicted.
Lee’s lawyer Marci Gilligan, and Laflin’s attorney Brian Leedy didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment. Lee and Laflin have unlisted phone numbers.
Colorado National Guard Maj. Elena O’Bryan said an inventory across the state found nothing was missing at any U.S. Army National Guard facility. She said weapons are stored in locked rooms, and access is highly controlled.
“They’re not our equipment,” O’Bryan said of the silencers.
ATF spokesman Bradley Beyersdorf declined to comment.
The investigation began in late September after authorities received a tip, said Jeff Dorschner, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver.
Lee was an active duty Army soldier from May 2004 to August 2009, when he joined the Colorado Army National Guard. Laflin joined the Guard in 2006.
O’Bryan said the two guardsmen can continue drilling with their regiment, but they aren’t eligible for awards or promotions and cannot attend classes or trainings. They are barred from using weapons at an upcoming drill this month.
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Information from: Daily Camera,
