Las Vegas Sun

May 2, 2024

Las Vegas jury reviews Navy SEAL weapons dealing case

A federal jury in Las Vegas is considering the fate of an active-duty Navy SEAL facing charges that he smuggled machine guns from Iraq and Afghanistan and conspired to sell weapons and explosives in the United States.

The jury begins deliberating Thursday, a day after Petty Officer Nicholas Bickle sat in his Navy uniform during closing arguments while his attorney, James Pokorny (poh-COR'-nee), said he should be acquitted.

Bickle didn't testify during the 2 1/2 week trial, and Pokorny says prosecutors failed to prove their case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip N. Smith Jr. asked for the conviction of the 34-year-old Bickle on 15 conspiracy, weapons and explosives charges.

He showed the jury AK-47 and M92 machine guns, a sniper rifle and other weapons that Bickle is accused of dealing.

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