Rochester duo indicted in illegal acquisition of semi-automatic rifle

Ryan Barbin and Katherine Canney; inset, a typical Panther AR-15, (Rochester Police photos; inset/courtesy)

DOVER - A Rochester pair has been indicted in connection with their roles in the alleged wrongful acquisition of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in June.

Ryan Barbin, with a last known address of 19 Springfield Estates; and Katherine Canney, with a last known address of 42 Lafayette St., have both been formally charged by a Strafford County grand jury.

Barbin, 34, is charged with two counts of receiving stolen property, a firearm, a Class A felony that could land him prison for up to 30 years.

The indictments allege that on June 17 Barbin did "receive, retain or dispose of a Panther AR-15 rifle" that was the property of another, "knowing that it had been stolen or believing that it had probably been stolen."

Canney, 27, was charged with two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, also Class A felonies, that could put her behind bars for up to 30 years.

Her indictments allege that between June 12 and June 19 she exercised "unauthorized control over the rifle" from the rightful owner.

All four criminal counts occurred in Farmington, the indictments allege.

The indictments were handed down Sept. 14 and released today.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been gathered to warrant a trial.