LEE COUNTY, Fla. – A North Fort Myers man is facing over a decade behind bars after federal authorities discovered more than 50 guns and a cache of ammunition inside his home during a warrant sweep.
Frederick Charles Kutchinsky, 54, officially entered a guilty plea for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced this week.
The legal trouble for Kutchinsky began on January 24, 2025, when deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrants Unit arrived at his residence. The unit was there to serve an active felony arrest warrant originating from Georgia.
While deputies were working to get Kutchinsky to step outside the home, they looked through the windows and spotted multiple firearms in plain view. Among the weapons visible from the exterior was a .50 caliber rifle.
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Kutchinsky eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. However, the sight of the weaponry prompted deputies to obtain a formal search warrant for the property. Upon entering the home, investigators found a massive collection that far exceeded what was visible from the yard.
According to court records, the search turned up over 50 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Investigators also stumbled upon a dedicated workbench area stocked with various firearm parts and specialized tools used for modifying weapons.
Because Kutchinsky has a prior felony conviction, he is strictly prohibited from owning or handling any firearms or ammunition under federal law. The discovery of the arsenal led to the current federal charges that now carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey is leading the prosecution. Kutchinsky’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 29, 2026.
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