Federal Firearms Charges Filed Against Five Men in Topeka

TOPEKA, KAN. – Five Topeka men were indicted Wednesday in separate cases on federal firearms charges, U. S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

The defendants are:

Amir Antwan Torenze Peppers, 24, who is in custody in the Shawnee County Jail, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.

Mason Cameron Reves, 27, Topeka, Kan., one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction, and one count of unlawful possession of a sawed off shotgun.

Bruce Mayo Nichols II, 34, Topeka, Kan., one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.

Oscar D. Rangel, 28, who is in custody in the Shawnee County Jail, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

Chad C. Ramage, 46, Topeka, Kan., one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.

Under federal law it is illegal for convicted felons to possess firearms. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Investigating agencies included the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag, Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.