Exclusive details: 'Lord of War' Guy Savage avoids extradition to U.S. after 14-year legal battle
Sabre Defence's legacy: What it means for Spindale and Rutherford County today
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SPINDALE, N.C. — After more than a decade of legal battles, Guy Savage, the former owner of Sabre Defence Industries, has avoided extradition to the United States. The decision, which a British judge attributed to “extraordinary” delays, brings renewed attention to the company’s troubled history — and leaves questions about its legacy in Spindale.
Savage, who once referred to himself as the “Lord of War,” faced a 21-count indictment in the U.S. on allegations of illegal arms exports and fraud. Prosecutors accused him of breaching export restrictions and disguising unlawful shipments of firearms. Despite a 2011 extradition request, proceedings stalled due to what the court described as “the complexity” of the case, alongside Brexit, general elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Savage’s mental health.
Savage is believed to have named himself the Lord of War after the 2005 film starring Nicholas Cage. While the arms dealer gave an unfriendly gesture with his middle finger toward photographers outside Westminster Magistrates' Court at a previous appearance, last week he seemed more subdued with a walking stick.
On Thursday, Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring ruled against extradition, saying, “Events such as Brexit and Covid or other high-profile or complicated extradition matters did not creep up on the department…the decision could and should have been made much more expeditiously.” Goldspring added that the failure to act sooner harmed the U.S. government’s “right to see justice done.”
Following the collapse of Sabre Defence, its assets were purchased by Manroy USA in 2011. The acquisition, which included $10.7 million in equipment and manufacturing materials, was widely seen as an opportunity for the firearms company to expand its U.S. footprint. Moving its operations to Spindale, Manroy Defense Systems sought “economies of scale and favorable tax treatment for locating in a deprived area,” according to Moneyweek.
According to a press release at the time,
Sabre Defence Industries, Inc. and its subsidiary Manroy USA, LLC have, in agreement with their secured creditors, agreed to work together to find a new buyer for the assets of the company. The Sabre’s manufacturing operation is located in Spindale, North Carolina. Manroy USA, LLC purchased the assets of the old Sabre Defence Industries, LLC of Nashville, Tennessee in 2011 and relocated to the operation to a 135,000 sq/ft facility in Spindale, North Carolina.
It was located at 159 Yelton St. in Spindale. However, Manroy’s success was short-lived. By 2015, the company agreed to an Article 9 liquidation, reports and public records show. A year later, New Empire Industries acquired the remnants of both Sabre Defence and Manroy, relocating operations to Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 2016, four former executives of Sabre Defence were sentenced in connection with their role in illegally exporting firearm components and other defense items, according to a press release. The sentencing followed an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) with assistance from the Department of Defense-Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
Today, Spindale is left with little to show from its brief time as a firearms manufacturing hub. Despite the promise of jobs and investment, the abrupt closure brought economic uncertainty. In 2013, Rutherford County Economic Development announced that 53 jobs would be created when they moved there. While the court's decision spares Savage from facing U.S. prosecution for now, it underscores the long shadow cast by Sabre Defence’s legacy.
As Judge Goldspring noted, “I conclude that the secretary of state has not discharged the burden to show reasonable cause for the delay and consequently I order the application to discharge.”
For Spindale, the question remains: Will the town’s connection to the defense industry yield future opportunities, or is it simply a chapter best left behind?
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary (by Annie Dance)
Lessons learned: My five concerns about homeland security in Rutherford County
In 2011, while Sabre Defence Industries made headlines for its legal troubles, I wasn’t living in Rutherford County. At the time, I was serving as the Director of Communications for a New York State Senator's Homeland Security Committee. It was a demanding role that involved navigating national security issues, supporting legislation, and working with emergency management leaders to address public safety threats.
I left that role to open a small business and pursue freelance writing, contributing to Hearst and other publications. While journalism has given me a platform to investigate and report on the world around me, my time in government provided insight into security concerns that might not immediately catch a journalist’s eye. From supply chain vulnerabilities to cybersecurity threats, those lessons still shape how I view the world — especially now, living in Rutherford County for the past five years.
Here are five key homeland security concerns I have today:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Coordination
After witnessing Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, I can’t help but question Rutherford County’s level of preparedness. Debris removal delays, poor communication, and slow coordination have exposed gaps in our local response system. In my previous role, I saw how critical it was for local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate in times of crisis. Are we prepared for the next major storm, wildfire, or public safety emergency? Right now, I’m not convinced.
2. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
Small towns may feel insulated from cyber threats, but that’s a dangerous assumption. Cyberattacks on water systems, public safety networks, and healthcare infrastructure are a growing concern. During my time in government, I worked with agencies focused on securing digital systems. I wonder whether Rutherford County has the resources and training necessary to combat the kinds of cyberattacks that have hit municipalities nationwide.
3. Supply Chain Disruptions and Economic Security
When Manroy USA moved Sabre Defence’s operations to Spindale, it was hailed as an economic win. But its liquidation just a few years later left the community with uncertainty. I learned in my state government days how interconnected global supply chains are and how vulnerable local economies can be to industry collapses. What contingency plans are in place to support workers and the local economy when major employers fold or supply chains are disrupted?
4. Public Safety and Law Enforcement Resources
While covering crime and public safety as a journalist, I’ve often seen how rural communities like ours face staffing shortages and limited training resources. In New York, I worked alongside law enforcement agencies with specialized homeland security training. Here, I wonder if local agencies have access to the same level of training to respond to threats ranging from bomb threats to active shooter situations. More resources and funding are essential to ensure we’re prepared.
5. Community Engagement and Transparency
Trust in government is a critical component of public safety. As a journalist for over twenty years, I’ve covered how delays in providing public information have undermined trust in local leadership. During emergencies, from wildfires to violent incidents, accurate and timely communication is vital. In my time in government, I saw how transparency built confidence in crisis management. It’s time for Rutherford County to prioritize clear communication and public engagement before the next disaster strikes.
Working in government gave me a deeper understanding of how decisions are made — and the consequences when things go wrong. Looking back to a case that took years to get to a resolution like the Guy Savage case can show us how important it is to ask questions — from economic development, to taxes, to public safety and beyond.
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Rutherford County, small minded on so many levels, is not prepared for the discussions mentioned in this article. Government here cannot be trusted to do their duty, as they continue to fail the citizens over & over again. If this is the truth, then eliminate the political positions. They do us no good. Leave it up to each & every person to take care of themselves. In the long run, it will cost the taxpayers less money. Educate yourself, be responsible, & be aware of what is to come. Do you have what you need here to thrive & survive? If it means researching & heading to a safer, better place, then so be it.