Father, son plead guilty to stockpiling military weapons

<p>A Savannah man and his son pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegal possession of machine guns and military explosives, including an anti-tank missile, police found after a Dumpster exploded behind their home last summer.</p><p>Broderick John Dass, 48, and Brandon Dass, 19, were arrested July 17 for trespassing on an Army gunnery range at Fort Stewart. Authorities found guns, grenades and military explosives in their home after a Dumpster outside exploded five days later. No one was injured.</p><p>Both men entered pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court to a small portion of the 18 counts against them.</p><p>Broderick Dass pleaded guilty to two counts _ possession of 16 firearms by a convicted felon and possession of seven stolen military explosives, including the anti-tank missile. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.</p><p>The elder Dass was convicted of drug possession in California in 1978, according to court records.</p><p>Brandon Dass pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an illegal machine gun. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.</p><p>Under federal weapons statutes, both men could receive probation as a minimum sentence. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Edmund A. Booth Jr. cautioned that sentencing guidelines for their case have not been set.</p><p>Broderick Dass' attorney, Brandon Galloway, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.</p><p>Stephen H. Harris, the attorney for Brandon Dass, said only that his client pleaded because "he determined it was in his best legal interest."</p>