Hidden Bunker, Illegal Guns Case Plea

Ray Steele, a 62-year-old man from Lead, South Dakota, has pleaded guilty in a federal firearms case involving a secret underground bunker and illegal machine guns. Steele admitted to unlawful possession of a machine gun, with a second charge dropped as part of a plea agreement.

By Crystal Blue April 23, 2025 11:45 am

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LEAD, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) A South Dakota man has pleaded guilty in a federal case involving illegal firearms and a secret underground bunker. On Monday, 62-year-old Ray Steele of Lead reached a plea agreement, admitting to unlawful possession of a machine gun. In exchange for his plea, a second charge was dropped. Due to previous convictions in South Dakota and California, Steele was prohibited from owning firearms. Authorities began investigating after receiving a tip that Steele was having someone purchase gun parts on his behalf. He later admitted to converting semi-automatic rifles into fully automatic machine guns. During a 2024 search, investigators discovered seven firearms and uncovered a hidden, man-made bunker at his home. The bunker contained thousands of rounds of ammunition, a gun safe, food rations, gas masks, and other survival items. Steele now faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. For more crime stories from MitchellNow.com, click here.

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