SANTA ANA, CALIF.
Two brothers plead guilty to federal weapons charges related to nearly three dozen machine guns, as well as short-barrel 
shotguns and silencers, that were found at their residence by authorities conducting an investigation in another matter, according to officials.
Alfred Arviso, 35, and Nathaniel Arviso, 33, each plead guilty Wednesday in federal court to one count of illegally possessing machine guns.
The cache of weapons at the Arvisos’ residence was discovered by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on May 15 during the execution of a search warrant in an unrelated investigation.
During the search, law enforcement discovered 33 machine guns (which includes 15 short-barrel rifles), another seven short-barrel rifles that were not automatic weapons, and eight silencers without serial numbers, according to officials.
“Federal law strictly regulates firearms that have a high potential for causing mass casualties, such as automatic weapons that can fire multiple rounds with one trigger pull,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “The cache of dangerous weapons found in this case could have made their way into the hands of criminals, endangering public safety.”
Alfred Arviso, who was remanded into custody after pleading guilty, is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 15. Nathaniel Arviso, who remains free on bond, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6.
At sentencing, each brother faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.