A 64-year-old Washington County man who was convicted of a felony in 1969 pleaded guilty Thursday to being a felon in possession of firearms.

Frank G. Archambault, of West Alexander, bought and traded guns with Timothy D. Johnson, of East Washington, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Picking. When FBI agents interviewed him, he first denied having guns, then showed them three, she said.

Since Archambault was convicted 43 years ago in Massachusetts for what Ms. Picking called "two separate charges involving alleged abuse of a female or female child," he can't own a gun.

He faces sentencing May 3.

"He wasn't necessarily thinking about something that happened 40 years ago" when he took possession of guns, said Jon Pushinsky, who represents Archambault. "There's no suggestion ... that Mr. Archambault was involved in any other crime" since 1969.

The FBI probe initially focused on possible militia activity but eventually resulted in charges against Mr. Johnson and former East Washington police Chief Donald Abraham Solomon. Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty to firearms charges in October, and Mr. Solomon is scheduled to plead guilty to extortion charges today.

First Published: January 4, 2013, 5:00 a.m.