Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges in Fatal Hunting Accident

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, 51-year-old David Manilla, of Worcester, pleaded guilty on Monday, March 18, to possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The case resulted from the investigation of a fatal hunting accident in Bucks County in 2010 that resulted in the death of another hunter, 53-year-old Barry Groh, of Quakertown.

According to Philly.com, Groh's body was discovered on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 lying in a creek beside a dead deer in Richland Township. His gun was found near his body.

According to court records, Manilla was hunting with a rifle on his farm at 155 California Road in Richland Township that day. Authorities say a shot he fired killed Groh.

After an investigation into the death was launched, authorities say Manilla arranged to have several guns he owned illegally moved to a female friend's home in Collegeville and also asked the friend to remove a rifle from the California Road farm. The friend later contacted police and authorities seized the guns.

Manilla reportedly admitted to police that he was in possession of the firearms illegally. Manilla was prohibited from possessing any weapons because of his conviction for aggravated assault for the 1985 beating of another man, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Sentencing for Manilla is scheduled for June 27, 2013. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release and other penalties.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph LaBar.

Read more about the investigation into the hunter's 2010 death here and download Manilla's guilty plea memorandum in our PDF section.