Alva Review-Courier -

An Alva man was charged with a felony after police say they found firearms at his home.

Franklin Alfred Utterback, 57, of Alva has been charged with possession of firearm after former felony conviction. The felony charge carries a penalty of imprisonment for one to 10 years.

According to court documents, on March 18 Alva Police Officer William Shahan went to question Utterback in his investigation of possible domestic abuse. Shahan read Utterback his Miranda rights, which he waived.

During the conversation, Utterback mentioned his previous residence on Eighth Street. Shahan said he remembered taking a report of a stolen shotgun there and that’s why Utterback looked familiar. Utterback said he found the shotgun when he was moving. It was in a location where he never puts firearms, and that’s why he thought it was stolen.

Shahan asked to see Utterback’s driver’s license for his report. Utterback handed it to him saying he would pop up as a felon when the license was run.

After leaving the residence, Shahan investigated Utterback’s possibly being a felon in possession of a firearm. He discovered Utterback has multiple felony domestic convictions out of Garfield County.

Knowing a felon cannot legally possess firearms, Shahan went back to the residence with Officers Brian File and Ron Vasquez along with Deputy Ethan McOsker. Shahan talked with Utterback reminding him his Miranda Rights were still in effect, and Utterback said he would still speak with him.

Shahan asked Utterback if he had any weapons in the house, and he said yes. Shahan asked what his probation said about guns, and he said he did not even think about the guns because they are collector’s items.

Shahan explained that due to Utterback’s being convicted on a felony and being on probation, he was not allowed to have any type of firearm in his possession at any time. Utterback said he would give Shahan the weapons. At Shahan’s request, Utterback signed a consent to search form to allow a search for weapons and ammunition.

Utterback retrieved four weapons from under his bed: a Winchester 1200 12 gauge shotgun, a Glenfield MOD 60 .22 long rife, a Daisy BB gun, and a J. Stevens Arms Co. model 1915 .22 long rifle. The weapons were photographed and seized. No ammunition was found.

Utterback was arrested, handcuffed and transported to the Woods County Jail.