COLUMBIA — An unlicensed firearms dealer connected to the 2005 death of Columbia Police Officer Molly Bowden has forfeited more than 700 weapons at the order of U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Longstaff, according to news releases from the police and the U.S. Department of Justice.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revealed that the gun used by Richard Evans to kill Officer Molly Bowden and later himself, was acquired from Bela Hummel, 73, of Eldon, Iowa, the police news release stated.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice media release, Judge Longstaff ordered Hummel to surrender his collection of unlicensed firearms, valued at over $100,000.
In addition to handing over his guns, Hummel received three years probation and will serve 100 hours community service related to gun crime victims. Hummel was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims Fund.
Furthermore, Hummel relenquished more than 50 firearms from his personal collection, in lieu of paying a fine, according to the release from the Department of Justice. Hummel is barred from possession of firearms in the future.