CASPER, Wyoming — A veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and other disabilities will spend a year and a half in federal prison for possessing a machine gun, according to a ruling handed down Wednesday in federal court in Casper.
Steven Shobert of Worland heard the verdict from Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for Wyoming Scott Skavdahl.
While in prison, he will attend the U.S. Bureau of Prisons' 500-hour inpatient drug treatment program and pay a $100 special levy. In addition, upon his release from prison, he will be on probation for three years, undergo a psychiatric evaluation, and receive cognitive behavioral therapy, among other conditions.
Shobert, who was 48 when he was arrested in December, declined to comment during the hearing.
In April, he pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a machine gun. In exchange for his guilty plea, the U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to drop a second charge of possession of an unregistered handgun at sentencing.
On November 15, a federal grand jury indicted Shobert on two counts:
- On July 23, 2023: Possession of three AR-15 type machine gun conversion devices and a 9mm Glock Model 17 with a “Glock switch” modification. The small switch is attached to the back of the Glock and allows continuous fire with a single trigger pull, turning the pistol into a machine gun.
- On July 28, 2023: Possession of an Aero Precision Model M4E1 short-barreled rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches long that is not registered to him on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
If convicted of these crimes, the defendants face up to ten years in prison.
The indictment also included a forfeiture order requiring Shobert to surrender all firearms and ammunition associated with the crime to the federal government.
During the plea change hearing in April, Skavdahl said Shobert could have served between 21 and 37 months in prison. Federal sentencing guidelines are based on the severity of the offense and the defendant's criminal record.
Shobert had a previous criminal record, including being arrested in Cody in late July 2023 for driving while intoxicated and crashing into a utility pole, leaving many of the city's residents without power, according to the Powell Tribune. This was his second arrest in four days for alleged drunken driving.
During the sentencing hearing, federal public defender Tracy Hucke pointed to Shobert's history as an alcoholic and drug addict, as well as the fact that he is a disabled war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Skavdahl mentioned these and other problems, including mental health issues and his attempts at treatment. However, Shobert possessed dangerous firearms, including the Glock switch that turned the pistol into a machine gun, the judge said.
Skavdahl urged Shobert to take advantage of available programs and stay sober.
“I wish you good luck,” he said.
