GRAND RIVER: Frank Eckhardt, a well-known Cape Breton property developer, has pleaded guilty to multiple firearms charges following a lengthy investigation by the RCMP.
The 62-year-old developer, who has faced previous controversy over accusations of selling overpriced land to European immigrants and distributing Nazi propaganda, reached a plea agreement in court last week.
Eckhardt, who operates F.E. Property Sales in Richmond County, admitted to three charges related to unsafe storage of firearms.
The charges stemmed from a 2019 RCMP investigation, during which officers found several firearms improperly stored in his home. The search, initially part of a failed extortion case, revealed a collection of guns, ammunition, and $137,250 in cash.
Under the plea deal, Eckhardt will forfeit his firearms and is banned from owning or acquiring new weapons for two years.
Crown Prosecutor John MacDonald described this as a “major sanction,” and noted if he wishes to become a firearms owner again, he will do so, starting from scratch.
The RCMP search uncovered five handguns, four rifles, two shotguns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition at Eckhardt’s residence. Among the firearms were three registered handguns, two unregistered black muzzleloader percussion pistols, and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, all of which were improperly stored.
The guns included a Glock 35 semi-automatic pistol, an Alfa Proj .22 calibre revolver, a Sig Sauer P320 semi-automatic pistol and two unregistered replica black powder muzzleloader pistols.
Court documents revealed that Eckhardt had failed to use trigger locks and had stored ammunition alongside several of the weapons, a violation of firearms regulations. In court, it was also revealed that one of the black powder guns had been handmade by Eckhardt’s father in Germany.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, MacDonald noted that these breaches were “technical” violations of storage rules.
Eckhardt’s legal troubles extend beyond the firearms charges.
In recent years, he has been the subject of numerous complaints from European immigrants, who claim they were overcharged for land purchases in Cape Breton. A German couple accused Eckhardt of sending them Nazi propaganda material along with gardening tips, though no charges were laid in that case.
Other immigrant families have shared similar concerns, including allegations of extortion when they tried to back out of deals with him.
In 2019, an Austrian couple reported that they had lost their life savings and were unable to immigrate to Canada despite an agreement they had made with Eckhardt.
While in 2021, Eckhardt faced extortion charges after threatening to revoke the visas of a couple who had leased commercial property from him.
However, those charges were dropped when the couple returned to Germany.
Justice Patrick Murray accepted the plea deal, which included a two-year prohibition on firearms ownership and several probationary conditions.
If Eckhardt successfully completes probation, he could avoid a criminal record, potentially preserving his status as a permanent resident in Canada.
MacDonald stated that, under the terms of the sentence, Eckhardt poses no risk to the public and affirmed that justice has been served. He further noted that if the cash seized during the search of Eckhardt’s property has not yet been returned, it should be, as it was not related to any of the charges in the plea agreement.
Eckhardt declined to comment in court or provide a statement to media.