Benjamin Zwack, Illegal Machineguns, Minnesota 2023

MINNEAPOLIS – A Burnsville man is facing federal time after admitting to a brazen scheme involving the sale of illegal machinegun conversion devices. Benjamin Jehle Zwack, 29, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of a machinegun, a charge stemming from a March 2023 investigation that uncovered a disturbing flow of modified firearms parts.

Federal agents were tipped off that Zwack, an employee at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) business, was peddling 3D-printed “switches” – also known as “auto sears” – capable of turning ordinary semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic machineguns. These devices, illegal under federal law, allow a single pull of the trigger to unleash a rapid burst of fire. The ATF and the Dakota County Drug Task Force moved quickly, deploying an undercover agent who purchased 11 of these conversion devices directly from Zwack on March 7, 2023, at the FFL business. During the transaction, the agent reportedly observed a firearm tucked into Zwack’s waistband.

The investigation didn’t stop there. On March 30, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at Zwack’s residence, vehicle, and a storage locker. The search of his vehicle yielded a Girsan-Regard, 9mm semi-automatic pistol. A shotgun and ammunition were found at his home. But the real cache was hidden away in a storage locker: additional firearms, suspected homemade silencers, a significant amount of ammunition, and what authorities described as a “suspected destructive device.”

The discovery of the storage locker contents paints a picture of a man heavily invested in illegal weaponry. While the specifics of the “destructive device” haven’t been released, it adds another layer of seriousness to the case. Zwack’s position within a licensed firearms business is also a major concern, raising questions about oversight and potential internal complicity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Andrew M. Luger, is prosecuting the case.

Zwack’s guilty plea was entered before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for a later date, where he will face the consequences of his actions. Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is handling the prosecution. The ATF’s St. Paul Field Division spearheaded the investigation.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by illegally modified firearms and the individuals who profit from them. The proliferation of 3D-printed weapon components is a growing concern for law enforcement, making it easier than ever for criminals to circumvent gun laws and put dangerous weapons on the streets. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

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