Men avoid federal trial by entering guilty pleas

MARQUETTE — Two men involved in robbing a licensed gun dealer last December have avoided a federal trial by pleading guilty.

Alexander Santiago, 18, and Juan Pereyra, 18, both pleaded guilty to one count of theft and aiding and abetting a theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Another felony charge of conspiracy to steal firearms was dismissed as a result of a plea agreement.

Santiago and Pereyra were arrested by police after stealing three weapons and ammunition from Northwoods Sporting Goods in Hancock December 10th, 2016. They were both students at Finlandia University at the time of their arrest.

Sentencing has been scheduled for November 8th.