COLUMBUS, Ohio - A federal judge has delayed sentencing for a former arms dealer from Canfield, warning that he could be "detained" if he fails to provide financial information.

A sentencing hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court in Columbus, was canceled by a judge who said that Paul Groves had failed to turn over information about monthly expenses, where his income is deposited, as well as the sale of a trailer,  and the sale of a home on Canfield Road in Youngstown.

Government attorneys are asking the judge to hand down a two-year prison sentence for a Canfield man convicted of possessing a grenade launcher and implicated in a scheme to illegally sell 60 high-powered, military-grade, 50 caliber rifles to buyers in Mexico.

Last month Judge Michael Watson notified Groves that he had not yet submitted all of the documents showing his finances and the transfer of ownership of his firearms that were ordered so the government could complete a pre-sentence report.

The order seeks Groves' personal tax returns, as well as those from businesses including AAA Customs, Warbucks Land Clearing, Armored Acres Thoroughbreds, Armored Acres Magna Wave Therapy, and AAA Trailer Repair.

The court also wants information about horses Groves owned, and why he transferred two horses at "zero cost".

Wednesday's order further states that Groves has not provided information on the status of his property at 2500 Market Street in Youngstown where Groves operated the High Powered Armory.

Judge Watson, who has not scheduled a new sentencing hearing, gave Groves until April 14 to either supply the information or explain why he cannot do so.  The order says failure to comply could result in court sanctions, which could include federal detention.

According to a sentencing memorandum filed by the United States Attorney’s Office, Grove was caught with an MK19 grenade launcher which the government says is a “destructive device” capable of automatic fire while expelling explosive grenades, warranting a stiffer sentence for Groves.

The public first became aware of the government’s interest in the former licensed federal firearms dealer when agents searched his Raccoon Road home in Canfield in September 2018.

The search was followed by an indictment alleging that Groves provided false information to fraudulently purchase military-grade weapons and resell them to illegal purchasers, who then resold them to Mexican buyers.

Co-defendant Eric L. Grimes of Columbus who operated Great Machine, LLC in Hilliard, Ohio, pleaded guilty earlier to engaging in the firearms business without a license.

The indictment does not identify who received the guns in Mexico, or how the weapons were used.

The U.S. Attorney says that Groves attempted to transfer his federal firearms license to a girlfriend, but the transfer was denied. Groves license expired in 2018.

A federal memorandum revealed a second search was conducted in relation to the case last spring.

In June of 2020, investigators say a short-barreled rifle, still registered to Grove’s High Powered Armory, was seized from a crime scene in Youngstown which led to another search at the armory location, turning up seven more firearms and silencers previously unaccounted for. ATF is still actively attempting to reconcile these missing firearms,” according to the sentencing memorandum.