Harrisburg Man Accused of Secretly Manufacturing Guns

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A Harrisburg man is facing federal charges for allegedly manufacturing and importing unregistered firearms, including silencers and short-barreled rifles.

Yaroslav Vishnevski, 31, was charged by a federal grand jury with three counts of receipt or possession of unregistered firearm, one count of manufacturing NFA weapon without paying special occupancy tax, one count of illegal importation of a firearm and one count of possession of firearm with obliterated serial number.

“Individuals who produce privately-made firearms (PMF) must adhere to state and federal laws to register the devices to help ensure responsible ownership,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our state and federal partners to combat unlawful gun trafficking.”

The charges stem from an alleged incident on April 22 in which federal officials intercepted a parcel in route to Vishnevski from China containing two firearm silencers. A controlled delivery of the silencers was conducted on May 2, where law enforcement executed a search warrant of his residence and recovered the silencers, as well as a rifle with another unregistered silencer attached, three 3D printers, suspected 3D-printed silencers, 3D-printed firearm frames and receivers in different stages of manufacturing and two privately-made, unregistered short-barreled rifles.

“Importing and the manufacturing of unregistered NFA devices is illegal. Possession of unregistered NFA devices is illegal. Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number is illegal,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Bernard G. Hansen. “A case like this demonstrates the immense value of collaborative law enforcement efforts in curbing gun violence in our communities.”

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of Vishnevski’s 9-millimeter Glock, a PMF AR-9 style rifle, a PMF AR-15 style rifle and a 12-gauge short-barreled shotgun. An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant, and under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Bloodworth is prosecuting the case. ISP, ATF and HSI are contributing to the investigation.

As law enforcement continues to crack down on unlawful gun trafficking, it is clear that those who think they can secretly manufacture and import unregistered firearms will be brought to justice. The people have a right to know that their communities are being protected, and it is up to the law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who put guns on the streets will face the consequences.