Two young Augusta men accused of participating in the theft of dozens of weapons pleaded guilty Monday.

William D. Johnson, 18, and Xavier Baker, 18, pleaded guilty in separate federal cases that could mean as much as 10 years in prison without parole.

Both men were arrested through the undercover operation, Augusta Ink. Both sold stolen weapons at the undercover shop, Colur Tyme Tattooz & Things on Tobacco Road, Richmond County Sheriff Sgt. Blaise Dresser testified Monday.

Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty to two charges involving the theft of 40 weapons from Waldens Outdoor World and the sale of several of those guns to undercover agents.

Mr. Johnson boasted that he and his friends burglarized the sports store, and that breaking into gun shops was "his thing," Sgt. Dresser testified.

Mr. Johnson returned to the tattoo shop with a gun that had been stolen from another gun shop, Shooters, on Patriots Way.

He was planning to burglarize another gun shop when he came into Colur Tyme for the last time on Nov. 8, Sgt. Dresser said.

Three other men indicted with Mr. Johnson have pleaded not guilty. Their cases are pending.

Mr. Baker pleaded guilty to the theft of weapons from Shooters and the sale of two of those guns at Colur Tyme. Mr. Baker claimed he was in the Meadowbrook gang.

Both Mr. Baker and Mr. Johnson have been held without bond since their arrests. Sentencing dates haven't been set.