Hayden man pleads guilty to federal charge of illegally distributing grenade fuses

A Hayden man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of distributing grenade fuses to someone who did not have a license to possess them.

Matthew Joseph Smith, 56, was arrested after an incident that took place on October 22, 2014. He was charged with distributing more than 1,300 M-228 grenade fuses to the unlicensed person.

Smith entered his guilty plea on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala.

“Individuals who hold a license to possess explosive materials owe a duty to act within the boundaries of the law at all times. When those boundaries are exceeded, we will actively pursue prosecution to ensure the safety of the public,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance in a press statement.

The investigation was run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Smith will be sentenced on September 15.