William “Bill” Lee Schmeck of Santee, California, United States was 27 years old when federal prosecutors charged him and three others in 1991 with trafficking in illegal firearms and ammunition. He is a member of the U.S. Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) teams.
The other three are Gordon H. Dawson, 50, of El Cajon, California, Peter Michael Scherer, 23, of Alpine, California and Herschi Perry Excell, 23, of Vista, California. The identity of a fifth suspect, a U.S. Marine Corps member currently in Okinawa, Japan, was not immediately released.
William Schmeck
In 1990, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Naval Investigative Service and the San Diego Sheriff’s Office started to run an undercover investigation. On April 15, 1991, federal agents with search warrants seized a virtual arsenal that allegedly belonged to Schmeck, Dawson, Scherer, Excell and the fifth suspect.
The agents found flares, grenade launchers, plastic explosives, rifles and shotguns that were all for sale. The value and the destinations of the seized firearms and ammunition are unknown.
On April 16, 1991, Schmeck, Dawson, Scherer and Excell pleaded not guilty at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Barry Ted Moskowitz. Bail was set at $150,000 for Schmeck, who was charged with six felony firearm counts.
Schmeck is the brother of David Schmeck, Rhonda Schmeck, Scott A. Schmeck and Ronald L. Schmeck. Their parents are Michael “Mike” Schmeck and Bettie Ann Schmeck.
Santee, California
Bisected by the San Diego River, Santee is a thriving East County city that masterfully combines suburban convenience with an active, outdoor lifestyle. Located approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, this family-friendly community is cradled by scenic hillsides and boasts a warmer, sunnier climate than its coastal neighbors.
The crown jewel of the city’s recreational scene is Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, a unique 190-acre park featuring seven recycled-water lakes. It draws thousands of visitors annually for fishing, camping, birdwatching, and paddle boating. Additionally, sports enthusiasts flock to the sprawling Sportsplex USA Santee, a premier facility hosting major regional softball and soccer tournaments.
Over the past few decades, Santee has undergone significant commercial development, transforming its center into the bustling Santee Town Center, which offers extensive shopping, dining, and direct access to the San Diego Trolley system. The city also proudly preserves a slice of classic Americana, hosting one of the last remaining drive-in movie theaters in Southern California. Offering excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and scenic hiking terrain like the nearby Mission Trails Regional Park, Santee stands out as a highly desirable and dynamic oasis.
CONAN Daily 