An Army lieutenant colonel assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky., was arrested Thursday, May 2, 2024, on federal charges for importing firearms parts from Russia and other countries and dealing in firearms without a federal license to do so, according to the Justice Department. (Samuel Shore/U.S. Army)
AUSTIN, Texas — An Army lieutenant colonel assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky., was arrested Thursday on federal charges for importing firearms parts from Russia and other countries and dealing in firearms without a federal license to do so, according to the Justice Department.
Frank Ross Talbert, 40, faces a 21-count federal indictment in the Middle District of Tennessee that charges him with eight counts of importing defense articles without a license, eight counts of smuggling firearms parts into the United States, one count of firearms trafficking, two counts of possession of unregistered machine guns, one count of transporting a machine gun without a license and one count of dealing in firearms without a license.
If convicted, Talbert faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million.
Talbert pleaded not guilty Thursday. An attorney listed for him declined to comment Friday. A trial is scheduled for June.
The charges involve activity between October 2022 and October 2023, and involve acquiring firearm parts from Russia, Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic, according to court documents.
Talbert, who serves as deputy commander of the 52nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, smuggled accessories for AK-style firearms including grips, hand guards, muzzle devices, sights, folding stock pieces and gas tubes.
On Sept. 12, 2023, Talbert sold a partially destroyed machine gun kit, as well as transported it from Tennessee to Kentucky, according to court documents. He also possessed an unregistered machine gun on Oct. 18, 2023.
Talbert has been in the Army since 2006 and has served overseas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and France, according to his official service record. His previous awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and two Army Commendation Medals. He also earned the Combat Action Badge, two Combat and Special Skill Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Fort Campbell is in Kentucky along the border with Tennessee. Its largest unit is the 101st Airborne Division.
