Man at center of alleged Selma gun mill pleads guilty

Adrianne Canterbury, who goes by Michelle, was accused of taking guns and jewelry out of the Selma Police Department evidence vault, the secure area where she worked. Richard Canterbury would then fix the guns so they could then be sold online.

February 18, 2018

SELMA, AL (WSFA) -

Richard Canterbury, one of three people accused of taking part in an alleged Selma gun mill, has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

According to court documents, Canterbury pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to three felony counts:

1. Knowingly possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony
2. Willfully engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license
3. Knowingly possessing a firearm that had been shipped or transported in interstate commerce and that the serial number of the firearm has been removed, obliterated or altered

Court documents indicate Canterbury admitted in court that the following counts were true and entered a plea of guilty.

In May of 2016, Canterbury, his wife Adrianne Michelle Canterbury, and his girlfriend, Candice Nicole Ledbetter Byrum, were arrested for allegedly operating the gun mill.

Adrianne Canterbury, who goes by Michelle, was accused of taking guns and jewelry out of the Selma Police Department evidence vault, the secure area where she worked. Richard Canterbury would then fix the guns so they could then be sold online.

Police began investigating after being called to a local school where Michelle's young son had a large amount of jewelry in his possession, which turned out to be 37 fake gold necklaces that should have been in the secure evidence vault. She admitted when questioned to taking the jewelry.

The case quickly expanded to involve firearms from the evidence locker.

Richard later admitted he sold several guns and had stored 239 in a unit under a relative's name. Ultimately, state and federal officials recovered 294 guns, including some recovered by people who voluntarily brought them to the police department when news of the arrests became public.

One of the guns sold by the alleged gun mill was used in a Dallas County shooting that claimed the life of a 19-year-old.

The FBI has since taken the lead over the investigation after being asked by Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier.

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