By Alex Benzegala
Panhandle Post
A Sidney man who was convicted for burglary charges in Box Butte County ten years ago was sentenced last week to three years in prison on felony firearm charges.
34-year-old Paul Arthur Riso originally plead guilty on Feb 7, 2023 after the original incident occurred on May 3 2022, when Riso was arrested for speeding.
Officers noticed an outline of a tactical-style vest underneath his sweatshirt, and after a search of his vehicle found an they located an AR-style pistol and a loaded rifle magazine inserted in the firearm.
Officers also discovered the firearm was equipped with a 3D printed sear in the trigger mechanism, which illegally converted the firearm from a semi-automatic firearm to a fully automatic machinegun.
Riso had previously been convicted of burglary in 2013, in Box Butte County, and is not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon.
The investigation was conducted by the Sidney Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.