A Texarkana man accused of selling a "dead-man's" grenade to an undercover officer earlier this year entered pleas of not guilty Friday to all six felony counts listed in a federal indictment.
Lomax, 31, allegedly offered to sell a fully automatic machine gun and a grenade to an undercover agent with the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force and FBI Safe Streets Task Force, according to a complaint penned by FBI Special Agent Tyler Ludwig. Lomax and the undercover operative agreed to meet at a Texarkana location, where Lomax allegedly said he would sell the machine gun and grenade for $1,000.
After the gun and grenade purchase was complete, an arrest team including members of the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department, FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives moved to take Lomax into custody on an outstanding state parole warrant. When the officers approached Lomax with sirens blaring and lights flashing, Lomax sped away in his red Ford pickup.
Lomax drove about two miles at speeds reaching 80 mph before he lost control and the truck rolled on eastbound Arkansas Boulevard near a church. Lomax and his female passenger were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, and about 30 people were evacuated from the church as a precaution.
Inside Lomax's truck, officers allegedly found a Ruger .380-caliber pistol, a Colt Police Positive .32-caliber revolver, a Ruger .38 special revolver, a .38 special revolver of unidentified origin, a Taurus Millenium G2 .40-caliber pistol and a revolver with its serial number removed.
The machine gun Lomax sold to the undercover operative was test fired by an ATFE agent who confirmed it was a functioning fully automatic rifle. That type of weapon requires registration with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record. The weapon Lomax allegedly sold was not registered.
The grenade Lomax sold has since been examined by ATFE and identified as a "dead-man's grenade" because it will detonate immediately once the pin is pulled.
Counts one and two of Lomax's indictment allege distribution of methamphetamine Jan. 18 and Jan. 22. The remaining four counts involve the grenade, machine gun and a sizable list of other firearms Lomax allegedly possessed March 24. Count three alleges Lomax, who has previously been convicted of a felony, illegally possessed four handguns. Count four alleges possession of a CZ model 25 submachine gun that was not registered. Count five alleges possession of a MK II style fragmentation grenade. Count six alleges Lomax possessed a Taurus revolver with an obliterated serial number.
At Lomax's arraignment Friday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff read the possible punishment ranges for each of the charges. Counts one and two are punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $1 million or both. Count three is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both. Counts four and five are punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both. Count six is punishable by up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
Bryant told Lomax his case is scheduled for jury selection before U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes June 27.