PORTLAND (AP) – A 25-year-old tile contractor remains in federal custody after police allegedly found at least seven firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition in his apartment above a child care center in Eliot.

David Widi Jr. was arrested last week on a charge of possession of firearms by a felon as police executed a search warrant at the apartment. The search was triggered by reports from informants that Widi was stockpiling guns, grenades and accessories. No grenades or explosives were found.

Widi was convicted in 2004 of a felony charge of reckless conduct for allegedly driving his pickup truck at two people in Portsmouth. N.H. Under federal law, convicted felons are not allowed to possess firearms.

Widi faces a bail hearing Wednesday in U.S. District Court. His court-appointed lawyer, Thomas Dyhrberg, could not be reached immediately for comment. In addition to the handguns, rifles and ammo, police found a bulletproof vest and a marijuana-growing operation.

in Widi’s home above Little Dino Daycare on Route 236, according to an affidavit filed with the court.

One of the informants claimed that Widi had more than 30 guns, including assault rifles and a machine gun, according to the application for a search warrant filed by agent Paul McNeil of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“According to both (informants), Widi has expressed that he is ‘ready for war’ and ‘preparing for the end of the world,’ which is why he is stockpiling firearms and related paraphernalia,” McNeil wrote.

Eliot Police Chief said his department is not aware of any specific threats made by Widi.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-12-02-08 0859EST

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