Four people connected with Valrico's River Otter Preppers were sentenced on weapons charges in federal court Friday.
James Bruce Beebe, 57, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was also ordered to forfeit that firearm.
Desiree Nikkole Beebe, 23, was sentenced to three years' probation for making a false written statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the purchase of a firearm, the same .22 caliber rifle that James Beebe later possessed.
Jason Michael Swain, 33, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Bushmaster .223 caliber AR-15 type semi-automatic rifle. The court also ordered Swain to forfeit the weapon.
Nicholas Ryan Hall, 23, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for making a false written statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during his purchase of a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, which he was buying on behalf of an individual he believed to be a convicted felon.
The four were arrested on June 16 during the investigation into doomsday prepper Martin Winters. Winters pleaded guilty on Aug. 28 to making destructive devices. He is set to be sentenced on Dec. 4.
Authorities say Winters had buried weapons and ammunition on his property in anticipation of the "end of days," and that he was prepared to shoot government agents. Investigators also said Winters told them he had at least 40 men who were willing to take part in his "last stand."