Homeless man arrested for possession of machine guns

CARSON, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - A homeless man who was in possession of five firearms, including two operable World War II-era machine guns, was arrested at a homeless encampment in an unincorporated area near Harbor City, authorities said today.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Richard Cunningham, was arrested on Saturday evening, according to Detective Dennis Elmore of the sheriff's Carson Station.

Deputies from the station were conducting a foot patrol of a homeless encampment when they came into contact with Cunningham, who was also in possession of three pistols, as well as high-capacity magazines and ammunition for the machine guns, which are also known as "grease guns,'' Elmore said.

Cunningham was arrested on suspicion of various weapons charges and today the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged him with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a large-capacity magazine and possession of a machine gun, Elmore said.

The filing of charges could not immediately be confirmed with the District Attorney's Office.

Cunningham was being held at the Carson Station in lieu of $166,500 bail and had an initial court date scheduled for today, although it was not immediately clear if he appeared.

Details about Cunningham's previous felony conviction were not disclosed.