Ex-cop jailed in weapons case

A RETIRED police officer has been sentenced to five years in state prison for having several assault rifles and illegal ammunition magazines at his South Jersey home.

Brian Hinkel had pleaded guilty earlier this year to four counts of possessing an assault rifle and 21 counts of possession of a prohibited device, which authorities say were illegal large-capacity ammunition magazines.

Hinkel, 62, was arrested in January 2009, when state police went to his home to question him in an unrelated investigation and found numerous firearms in plain view. They later executed a search warrant at the four-acre site and discovered hundreds of guns.

The Newfield man served with the Vineland Police Department for about 13 years before leaving on a disability pension in 1986.

- Associated Press