SIMI VALLEY : Man Pleads Guilty to Gun-Related Charges

A Simi Valley gun show promoter, who had been accused of offering to sell assault weapons to Los Angeles gangs, has pleaded guilty to two gun charges in Ventura County Superior Court.

Steven R. Breitel, 46, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of a machine gun and offering an assault gun for sale. He faces up to eight years in prison when he is sentenced April 22 by Judge Charles R. McGrath.

Breitel was arrested Oct. 8, a few days after he allegedly agreed to sell automatic weapons to undercover Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy John W. Kiess. Just before his arrest, Breitel backed out of the deal, Kiess said, after making arrangements to sell the weapons to a Los Angeles gang instead.

In a search of Breitel’s Simi Valley office, deputies seized two AK-47s, several other assault rifles, seven automatic pistols and nearly 50 other weapons, Kiess said.

The undercover investigation was cut short, Ventura County Deputy Dist. Atty. Stephen J. McLaughlin said, because “we had information he was dealing with gang members.” But Breitel’s attorney, Richard W. Hanawalt, has denied that there was any evidence connecting Breitel with gangs.