INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Alexander Clark, 28, of Franklin, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for two years after admitting to a brazen scheme to manufacture and sell untraceable firearms using a 3-D printer. Clark pleaded guilty to making a firearm in violation of the National Firearms Act, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of a machinegun – charges stemming from a month-long investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The ATF’s investigation revealed Clark wasn’t just tinkering; he was running a small-scale gun manufacturing operation. Between July and August of 2022, investigators documented Clark selling five privately made Glock-style pistols, all built with 3-D printed frames. He also peddled a 3-D printed AR-15 lower receiver and, crucially, two machinegun conversion devices – commonly known as “Glock switches” or “auto-sears.” These switches transform semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons, a clear violation of federal law.
“These aren’t harmless hobby projects,” stated U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Criminals like this defendant exploit modern technology to illegally manufacture deadly weapons and illegally arm others, including felons and juveniles.” Myers highlighted the danger posed by these devices, noting that a pistol equipped with a switch and extended magazine can unleash 31 rounds in a mere two seconds. The sentence, he emphasized, is a demonstration of the office’s commitment to getting these weapons “off our streets.”
An August 22, 2022, raid on Clark’s Franklin home uncovered a disturbing arsenal. Agents seized seven machineguns, 27 machinegun conversion devices, and seven silencers – none of which were legally registered. Beyond the firearms themselves, the search also turned up the 3-D printer and associated electronics used to create the illegal weapons. The scale of the operation points to a deliberate effort to profit from the illegal gun trade, potentially supplying firearms to those prohibited from owning them.
Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, called machinegun conversion devices “one of the most serious challenges facing ATF.” He explained that these devices not only increase a firearm’s lethality but also reduce the shooter’s control, making them “deadly and random” threats to the community. “We will work with our partners to remove these devices, and those who are manufacturing and selling them, from our streets,” McCormick vowed.
Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt handed down the two-year sentence. Following his release from prison, Clark will face three years of supervised probation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath prosecuted the case. The ATF investigation, and the resulting conviction, serve as a warning: the burgeoning world of 3-D printed firearms is under scrutiny, and those who attempt to skirt the law will face federal prosecution.
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- Gun Trafficking Ring Busted in Central Indiana: 15 Charged · Illinois
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- James Johnson, Gun Trafficking, California 2022 · Ohio
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