LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The leader of the Kentucky state militia is the target of a federal investigation now that weapons have been confiscated from his home.

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Charlie Puckett Is Under Federal Investigation

NewsChannel 32 has learned that Charlie Puckett is a convicted felon, but was able to get a license from the state of Kentucky to carry a concealed weapon.

NewsChannel 32's Andy Alcock reported exclusively Wednesday that Puckett can't legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Back in April, Puckett attended a national gathering of militia groups in Grayson County. Critics said that those groups had radical views about government infringement in America.

But just two weeks ago, federal agents raided Puckett's home in Lancaster, Ky., and seized the following:

• Assault weapons
• Handguns
• Sniper rifles
• Parts of explosive devices
• Booby-trap devices
• Almost 40,000 rounds of ammunition

"Unfortunately, I can't say I was shocked to find what we found," Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms spokesman Karl Stankovic told Alcock. "I've been in the business for 30 years, and I've investigated numerous cases where you find people with large amounts of weapons."

Alcock obtained court records that show that Puckett has a criminal record, which includes the following charges:

• Six counts of indecent exposure in Virginia, including to minors
• Three separate charges of disorderly conduct, including a 1972 incident that required a visit to the University of Kentucky Mental Hospital
• One felony count of burglary in Virginia in 1967, which made it illegal for him to posseess a firearm or ammunition

State investigators weren't aware of the Virginia felony conviction until federal agents brought it to their attention. In the meantime, Puckett qualified for a concealed-weapon license, which was confiscated in last month's raid.

"No system is perfect," Kentucky State Police spokeswoman Lisa Kudzinksi (pictured, right) said. "We, in the state of Kentucky, have an internal record, but we also have to depend on the information nationwide that other law enforcement agencies provide."

Other Kentucky Militia Members Investigated

Puckett apparently isn't the only member of the Kentucky militia with a criminal background. The ATF has a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Steve Anderson.

Anderson is accused of firing several gunshots at a Bell County sheriff's deputy after he fled from a routine traffic stop back in October. He's wanted for attempted murder. Agents found a large amount of ammunition and several pipe bombs from Anderson's abandoned vehicle. He's also wanted for violations of federal explosives laws.

Also in October, 24-year-old Christopher Salyers pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegal possession of a machine gun, silencer, sawed-off rifle and sawed-off shotgun.

"The fact that they're militia members is actually secondary," Stankovic (pictured, above) said. "We act on information of violations of law."

Press Conference Scheduled For Thursday

A friend of Puckett's, Norm Davis, said that Puckett is being represented by Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, who ran unsuccessfully for governor as an independent candidate.

Galbraith was unavailable for comment, but Davis said that Galbraith has scheduled a press conference for Thursday in Lexington.

Puckett Made Strong Comments On Radio Shows

Agents began investigating Puckett after he made inflammatory statements on two separate radio programs. In one statement, Puckett said that if any ATF agents were to come to his home, "The Garrard County coroner would have a mess on his hands."

On another occasion, Puckett reportedly said that the militia would guard the McCreary County Courthouse from any attempts to remove the Ten Commandments, and said that if anyone would try to do so, "It would be lock-and-load time."