Herschi Perry Excell, 23, of Vista, California, United States was 23 years old when he and three others were charged with trafficking in illegal firearms and ammunition in 1991. He was working as a part-time electrician at the time.
The other three were Gordon H. Dawson, then 50, of El Cajon, California, William “Bill” Lee Schmeck, then 27, of Santee, California and Peter Michael Scherer, then 23, of Alpine, California. There was a fifth suspect, a U.S. Marine Corps member in Okinawa, Japan.
Herschi Excell
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 Excell, Scherer, Dawson, Schmeck and the fifth suspect.
The agents found flares, grenade launchers, plastic explosives, rifles and shotguns that were all for sale. In particular, a grenade launcher, two sawed-off shotguns, four automatic weapons, four blocks of plastic explosives and miscellaneous parts were found at Excell’s house in Vista.
Excell was armed with a fully loaded 9-millimeter pistol when he was arrested in the parking lot of a restaurant in Del Mar, California. He was charged with three felony firearm counts.
On April 16, 1991, Excell, Scherer, Dawson and Schmeck pleaded not guilty at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Barry Ted Moskowitz. Bail was set at $100,000 for Excell.
Vista, California
Nestled in the rolling hills of North San Diego County, Vista is a thriving city that perfectly embodies its Spanish name, which translates to “view.” Located just seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, Vista enjoys a Mediterranean climate that famously made it an agricultural hub in the 20th century, once holding the title of the “Avocado Capital of the World.”
Today, the city has evolved from its rural roots into a dynamic suburban community. Its historic downtown, known as Vista Village, has undergone an energetic revitalization, transforming into a bustling center for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Vista is also recognized as a powerhouse in the craft beer industry, boasting one of the highest concentrations of microbreweries per capita in the United States.
Families and visitors are drawn to its rich cultural amenities, including the Moonlight Amphitheatre, a premier open-air theater staging Broadway-caliber musicals, and the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum. With more than 25 lush parks, a sprawling water park, and a seamless blend of coastal proximity and hillside charm, Vista remains a vibrant and uniquely appealing cornerstone of Southern California.
CONAN Daily 