NORWICH – Two brothers who allegedly possessed and sold stolen firearms were arraigned on Feb. 2 in Chenango County Court by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr.

Thomas L. Ackermann, 25 of South Otselic and his brother, Samuel J. Ackermann, 22 of Norwich were arrested in December of 2014 for allegedly possessing and selling stolen firearms.

According to Chenango County Sheriff's Office deputies, the arrest of the Ackermann brothers followed an anonymous phone call from a person who had allegedly purchased firearms at a low cost in the Town of Ostelic.

After deputies spoke with the person who had purchased the inexpensive firearms, it was found that the purchaser had allegedly bought the stolen firearms from the two Ackermann brothers while in the Smyrna area.

When deputies were informed of the alleged sale of the firearms and charged the two brothers, Thomas was already incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility for other theft-related crimes. According to First Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese, Thomas had allegedly stolen property out of vehicles in the City of Norwich.

Samuel was also remanded to the county jail for the charges related to the stolen firearms.

Thomas and Samuel were both indicted on Jan. 21 for two counts each of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony.