Latest news with #Ruger
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman sentenced for trafficking meth hidden in dog food to Massachusetts
BOSTON (WWLP) – A Georgia woman was sentenced to prison for her role in trafficking over 10 pounds of methamphetamine to Massachusetts, hidden in a bag of dog food. In a news release from the Department of Justice, in September 2022, a confidential source was informed by a drug trafficking organization that a woman courier would be transporting 12 pounds of methamphetamine from Georgia to Massachusetts. The woman called the confidential source to coordinate the time and location to complete the sale. 60 convicted of trespassing on new border military zone The courier, later identified as 28-year-old Brooke Logan Paniagua of Dalton, Georgia, arrived at the pre-arranged location. Law enforcement intercepted and found a .22 caliber Ruger handgun loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and a partially opened bag of dog food that contained five plastic containers filled with 12.3 pounds of 97% pure methamphetamine. Paniagua pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 48 months of supervised release. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Binghamton man pleads guilty to illegal weapon charge
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Binghamton man pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in Broome County Court Friday. 24-year-old Xavier Tappan-Bright, of Binghamton, pleaded guilty to the charge related to an investigation in January, where the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force discovered a loaded .380 caliber Ruger pistol with six rounds in the magazine while executing a search warrant of an apartment at 10 Felters Road in Binghamton. As a second violent felony offender, Tappan-Bright is expected to be sentenced to eight years in New York State prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Sentencing is scheduled for August 28, 2025, in Broome County Court. The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force led the investigation. The Task Force is made up of members from the Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff's Department, Endicott Police Department, and Johnson City Police Department. Smoke testing of Endicott sewer system to be conducted next week GOP fiscal hawks sink key vote on Trump 'big, beautiful bill' Binghamton man pleads guilty to illegal weapon charge Man attacks woman's car with power saw in Hollywood, after allegedly yelling racial slurs Baby raccoon in Colorado revived with compressions Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Lower Hutt man Sunia To'ofohe's meth stash leads to 14-year prison sentence
Searching To'ofohe's Holden Commodore and later the bedroom at his Lower Hutt flat, police found 11kg of methamphetamine, $547,000 cash, a Ruger rifle and 57 rounds of ammunition. Police also found cocaine, GBL, 1,4-Butanediol, LSD, oxycodone and cannabis. Scales, a money counter, plastic bags and methamphetamine pipes were additionally retrieved from the property. At his trial in February, the jury heard To'ofohe's bedroom was so crammed, it took police all night to search it, with extra staff called in to help. To'ofohe was convicted of 14 charges, including possessing methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, LSD, GBL and 1,4-Butanediol for supply, possession of cannabis for sale, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and supplying methamphetamine. Today, To'ofohe was sentenced in the High Court at Wellington by Justice Cheryl Gwyn. She said police estimated the 11kg of methamphetamine found in To'ofohe's bedroom would have supplied the Wellington region for 9.5 weeks. The judge said police also estimated that at one point, To'ohohe had possessed 24.1kg of the drug, which his lawyer Keith Jefferies didn't dispute. To'ofohe maintained he was unjustly charged and convicted, and claimed he was holding the drugs for someone else. In sentencing, Justice Gwyn said she had to decide what role To'ofohe played in the operation. Crown prosecutor Tim Bain submitted To'ofohe had a leading role, noting the sheer scale of the methamphetamine and drugs involved went well beyond feeding a personal drug habit. There was a clear expectation of profit, with To'ofohe texting about how much money he was making. But Bain said To'ofohe's plans were never realised, because after he had paid off a million-dollar debt, police had intervened before he could start making a profit. Encrypted messages found on To'ofohe's phones showed he was able to supply drugs, without demanding immediate payment, Bain said. And there was clearly a financial benefit, with designer sneakers and bags found in his bedroom. A forensic analysis of To'ofohe's spending showed he spent $386,000 on online gambling while unemployed, Bain said. But Jefferies argued there was no conclusive evidence his client had a leading role, with no evidence of a commercial operation and the encrypted messages were to his client's girlfriends and friends. Jefferies said his client had a gambling problem, which had spiralled out of control. To'ofohe kept the drugs in an unlocked room in a flat he shared with others and the assets he had weren't significant for a man of his age. Justice Gwyn found To'ohohe had a significant, but not a leading, role in the operation. But she didn't accept To'ofohe's claims he was holding the drugs for someone else. Given the quantities of drugs and money involved, as well as the equipment police had seized, it was clearly a commercial operation, she said. Justice Gwyn said although the structure of the operation wasn't clear, there was no evidence this was a gang drug-dealing operation run by the Comancheros. While she acknowledged it was a large-scale operation, it wasn't particularly sophisticated. Turning to the issue of To'ofohe's addiction, Justice Gwyn said she was persuaded by the alcohol and drug report that To'ofohe had a drug addiction. The court heard To'ofohe had been working but quit his job just before Covid to move to Auckland. But the Covid lockdowns had left him stranded in Hamilton and once they'd been lifted, he'd returned to Wellington. In the year leading up to his arrest, he felt depressed, socially isolated and had become reliant on methamphetamine. He said he was using 1-2g a day, requiring $2000 a week to fund his addiction. But Justice Gwyn was sceptical about To'ofohe's claims around methamphetamine use, noting the amount police seized went well beyond feeding an individual's addiction. She accepted that while there was evidence of addiction, it was not the sole motivation for To'ofohe's offending and she granted a 5% discount for it. She also allowed a 10% discount for personal factors, well short of the 35% Jefferies had asked for. Adopting a starting point of 18 years' jail and adding six months for the firearm charge, and after taking into account personal factors and the time To'ofohe had spent on electronically monitored bail, Justice Gwyn reached an end sentence of 14 years and 10 months' jail. She declined to impose a minimum period of imprisonment, which the Crown had sought. The judge said To'ofohe was at the stage in his drug recovery journey that, with the right support, he might be able to put himself on a different path. She was also mindful of his young children and his desire to be a part of their lives.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RGR Q1 Earnings Call: Flat Sales in Weak Market, Focus Remains on Innovation and Capacity
American firearm manufacturing company Ruger (NYSE:RGR) fell short of the market's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales flat year on year at $135.7 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.46 per share was 29.2% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy RGR? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $135.7 million vs analyst estimates of $148 million (flat year on year, 8.3% miss) Adjusted EPS: $0.46 vs analyst expectations of $0.65 (29.2% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $14.3 million vs analyst estimates of $18.71 million (10.5% margin, 23.6% miss) Operating Margin: 6.2%, in line with the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 7.4%, up from 4.1% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $612.4 million Ruger's first quarter results reflected the impact of a challenging firearms market, with management citing pressure across handguns, rifles, and shotguns. CEO Todd Seyfert emphasized that while industry-wide retail sales declined, Ruger's own performance held steady, supported by demand for recent new product introductions such as the RXM pistol and the Marlin lever-action rifles. Seyfert highlighted operational improvements and the company's ability to adapt production levels to market conditions, noting, 'Our flexible manufacturing model allowed us to adjust production based on demand while maintaining our focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.' Looking forward, management outlined plans to accelerate new product launches and expand production capacity, even as broader consumer demand remains uncertain. Seyfert described a 'full pipeline of roadmaps for our product categories' and indicated that capital investments would support getting new models to market faster. He acknowledged industry headwinds but projected that Ruger's financial discipline and U.S.-centric supply chain would help the company maintain stability and pursue growth opportunities, stating, 'We actually feel that we have opportunity to go out in certain categories, be more aggressive, take share, and we have the balance sheet to do that.' Management attributed Ruger's flat sales to continued demand for new products and operational adaptability in a declining market. They also highlighted ongoing investments intended to improve long-term competitiveness. Leadership Transition: The quarter marked Todd Seyfert's first as CEO, following Chris Killoy's retirement. Seyfert has prioritized maintaining Ruger's culture of quality and operational discipline during the transition. Industry-wide Demand Weakness: Management pointed to a nearly 10% year-on-year decline in overall U.S. retail firearm unit sales, with Ruger's results outperforming this trend by remaining flat. Seyfert noted, 'Although the firearms industry may be cyclical, Ruger does not have to be.' New Product Contribution: New product sales made up 31.6% of quarterly revenue. High-demand launches included the RXM pistol, second-generation Ruger American rifle, and Marlin lever-action rifles, indicating ongoing customer interest in recently introduced models. Flexible Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Ruger's U.S.-based manufacturing footprint and sourcing insulated the company from immediate tariff impacts. The company increased raw material inventories to buffer against potential supply disruptions and cost increases. Capital Investment Plans: Management discussed higher capital expenditures—potentially exceeding $30 million for the year—to support faster new product introductions, capacity expansion, and manufacturing upgrades. Seyfert stated, 'We will be more aggressive in terms of the pace of the launches.' Management expects near-term performance to be shaped by ongoing market headwinds, but plans to pursue growth through accelerated product launches, operational investments, and market share gains. Accelerated Product Launches: The company plans to increase the pace of new firearm introductions, aiming to capture customer interest and respond quickly to shifting market preferences. This approach is designed to offset weak industry demand. Capacity Expansion and Efficiency: Planned investments in production capacity and manufacturing upgrades are intended to improve output and reduce production bottlenecks. Management believes this will position Ruger to capitalize on future market recovery and consumer trends. Monitoring Industry Risks: Management acknowledged risks from persistent weak consumer demand, potential supply chain disruptions, and the impact of tariffs. While immediate effects are limited, the company is closely watching input costs and inventory dynamics to maintain margin stability. Rommel Dionisio (Aegis Capital): Asked if higher capital spending signals a more aggressive pace of new product launches. Seyfert confirmed, 'We will be more aggressive in terms of the pace of the launches.' Rommel Dionisio (Aegis Capital): Inquired about marketing and sales investment impact on profitability. Seyfert said near-term spending would be capital-focused, with expense increases tied to future growth in new product introductions. Rommel Dionisio (Aegis Capital): Questioned which product categories offer the most significant launch opportunities. Seyfert declined specifics but stated the pipeline is robust across all platforms. Mark Smith (Lake Street): Asked about the RXM pistol's effect on average selling price (ASP). Seyfert noted a short-term impact from the ramp-up, expecting stabilization as production levels out. Mark Smith (Lake Street): Probed confidence behind capacity expansion amid weak demand. Seyfert cited a combination of strong new product roadmaps and the ability to invest aggressively due to Ruger's solid balance sheet. Looking ahead, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the pace and commercial reception of new product launches across Ruger's core and emerging platforms, (2) the effectiveness of capital investments in boosting production efficiency and meeting demand, and (3) any signs of improvement or further deterioration in broader U.S. firearms market trends. Updates on supply chain stability and tariff impacts will also be important indicators of future performance. Ruger currently trades at a forward EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 11.3×. Should you double down or take your chips? See for yourself in our free research report. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
Otago Daily Times
12-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Eye surgeon granted parole after attempted murder
By Sam Sherwood of RNZ A Christchurch eye surgeon who attempted to murder his former business landlord has been granted parole. After being declared bankrupt on August 4, 2022, prominent doctor Ian Dallison stormed into the Lyttelton home of Alberto Ceccarelli and attempted to shoot him while he was eating dinner with his wife, Antje Schmidt. Dallison was jailed for almost seven years in 2023. A Parole Board spokesperson confirmed Dallison appeared before the board on Monday and was granted release. He will be released next month. It was earlier revealed Dallison had been in an intimate relationship with District Court Judge Jane Farish. Farish was Dallison's girlfriend at the time of his attack on Ceccarelli and Schmidt. Dallison was armed with nine guns and 167 rounds of ammunition when he drove to the couple's home in St Davids Street, according to the police summary of facts. He had been declared bankrupt in proceedings brought by Ceccarelli, to whom he owed a large amount of money for failing to pay the rent at his commercial building. He fired a Ruger semi-automatic pistol at Ceccarelli, with the bullet narrowly missing the businessman's head, lodging itself in the doorframe over his right shoulder. Ceccarelli and Schmidt then rushed Dallison, sparking a violent scuffle, during which Dallison gouged Ceccarelli's eye. The Supreme Court earlier ruled media could report the relationship between Dallison and Farish. The court said it was accepted Farish knew nothing of Dallison's plans and had no involvement in the offending. She knew Dallison for years before beginning a romantic relationship with him in 2012. They maintained separate homes throughout the relationship and she had only stayed at his house once in the year before his rampage. 'Severely violated' At sentencing Crown prosecutor Claire Hislop read victim impact statements on behalf of Alberto Ceccarelli and his wife Antje Schmidt, who recounted the horror of having their home invaded by an armed Dallison on 4 August, 2022. "Our security and our home have been severely violated." Dallison entered Ceccareli's Lyttleton home at about 7.40pm while he and Schmidt were eating dinner. The court heard how Dallison fired a Ruger semi-automatic pistol, the bullet narrowly missing Ceccerelli's head, lodging itself in the doorframe over his right shoulder. Both Ceccarelli and Schmidt then rushed Dallison, sparking a violent scuffle. According to Ceccarelli's victim impact statement, he was still feeling the effects of the fracas where Dallison gouged his eye. "Previously I had no issues reading brief things, like an email for instance, but now I can only read a few lines at a time and have to stop. "When I'm working in the day, the daylight is too bright and it offends my sight so I have to block the sunlight out by having my blinds pulled down. "I still suffer daily with headaches, which I have to use Panadol." Ceccarelli said he felt "anxious" and admitted it was difficult to think about the future, in relation to the eventual release of Dallison. Schmidt was drawn into the attack and struck several times on the back of the head by the butt of Dallison's gun. "I have difficulties falling and staying asleep due to the pain of my head injuries and anxiety. It is agony to put my head down on a pillow to sleep. "I have difficulty of concentration, feeling constantly distressed and on edge, feeling lightheaded and nauseous, constant headaches. I become very jumpy, tense and jittery." The court heard Dallison was a commercial tenant of Ceccarelli, the former owing the latter's trust about $250,000 in unpaid rent and expenses. Defence lawyer Paul Borich conceded Dallison worked himself into a state on the day of the attack and behaved "irrationally" after being declared bankrupt hours earlier. "His behaviour on this day was extreme - he did not look to others for help, nor did he take what advice had been given. "Being bankrupt was the final straw and he completely and totally lost the plot." Justice Andru Isac however told the court there was a high degree of premeditation and his actions were "inexplicable". He said Dallison wrongly blamed Ceccarelli for his own financial woes and had established a pattern of not dealing with civil disputes reasonably. "You don't take kindly to anyone with whom you have a financial dispute, be it former spouses, family or business partners. "In such situations you have said to become arrogant, irrational, angry and uncompromising, some might describe such behaviour as entitled." Isac said unlike many defendants who appear in front of the court, Dallison had lived "a privileged life". He also pointed to other factors such as the Canterbury earthquakes and diminishing demand for laser treatment resulted in falling profitability of Dallison's practice.
