A federal prosecutor says authorities have recovered only 73 of the 654 guns stolen in 2017 in Springfield, Missouri.
Prosecutors say six men from the North Texas area stole the guns by maneuvering several trailers into a United Parcel Service lot.
The handguns and 12-gauge shotguns were being shipped from Beretta USA in Maryland to Bass Pro Shops in Springfield when they were stolen.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that during a sentencing hearing Monday, U.S. Assistant Attorney James Kelleher said most of the guns are in public circulation.
Frank McChriston, 35, and Derrick White, 33, both of Dallas, Texas; Quinton Haywood, 27, of Glenn Heights, Texas; and Eric White, 28, of Arlington, Texas were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips, according to a Department of Justice news release.
McChriston was sentenced to seven years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Derrick and Eric White were each sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Haywood was sentenced to seven years and six months in federal prison without parole. All four were also ordered to pay a total of $206,000 in restitution.
Two other men — Raynord Hunt, 36, and Keith Lowe, 29, both of Dallas — have pleaded guilty in the case and await sentencing.
