
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 12, 1993                   TAG: 9306120103
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

GUN DEALER GETS PROBATION FOR THREATS

A gun dealer pleaded guilty Friday to threatening President Clinton during an interview with federal agents. He was placed on probation for five years and ordered to undergo counseling.

Michael B. Shields, 28, will have to spend eight months in confinement under terms of a plea agreement accepted by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith.

He received credit for four months already spent in psychiatric evaluations and will split the remaining four months in a halfway house and on home detention wearing an electronic monitor.

Shields, president of Firearms International Inc. of Norfolk, was arrested Feb. 23 after an interview with U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents in which he threatened Clinton and other government officials.

Andrew Sacks, Shields' attorney, said it was a classic case of a cry for help.

"There is no evidence that Mr. Shields engaged in any conduct that indicated he intended to carry out the threat," Sacks said. "I think what he's guilty of is a big mouth. In this case, that is a criminal offense." - Associated Press

by CNB