Sniper suspect facing unrelated firearms charges

11.30am

WASHINGTON - US authorities charged former Army combat engineer John Allen Muhammad on firearms violations unrelated to his arrest in connection with the US suburban sniper case that has claimed 10 lives, according to court documents released on Thursday.


Prosecutors did not immediately charge Muhammad in the sniper shootings. Federal officials said the lesser charge -- possession of a firearm in violation of a restraining order -- was seen as a way to keep him in jail while more evidence was sought in the sniper case.


It was not immediately clear what, if any, charges were filed against John Lee Malvo, 17, who was arrested with Muhammad while they slept in a car at a highway rest stop in rural Maryland.


Because Malvo is under 18, federal officials said they would not be commenting on any of the proceedings in Baltimore against him because he is a juvenile and the matter has been sealed.


The arrest warrant and the complaint against Muhammad were filed in federal court in Washington state on Wednesday and unsealed on Thursday. Muhammad is making his initial court appearance in Baltimore following his arrest.

- REUTERS

Further reading:
The Washington sniper

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