NEW ALBANY, IN – Christopher M. Caudill, 38, of Austin, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for seven years after admitting to running a dangerous dual operation: manufacturing and selling untraceable “ghost guns” while simultaneously peddling methamphetamine. The sentencing, handed down Monday, underscores the escalating threat posed by privately made firearms and the continued scourge of drug trafficking in the region.
Court documents reveal Caudill wasn’t just a street-level dealer. Between July 2021 and February 2022, he engaged in five separate transactions with a confidential informant, delivering a total of 41.9 grams of methamphetamine. But the drug dealing wasn’t his only hustle. He also supplied the informant with a silencer, two privately made Glock-style 9mm pistols lacking serial numbers, and a fully assembled AR-style 5.56mm rifle – also without a serial number. Caudill assembled these weapons himself, sourcing parts and kits online, circumventing any legitimate tracking or regulation.
These “ghost guns,” as they’re known, are a growing nightmare for law enforcement. Without serial numbers, they’re impossible to trace through the ATF’s National Tracing Center, making them ideal tools for criminals who want to remain anonymous. The proliferation of these weapons has sparked a national crackdown, but Caudill clearly saw an opportunity to exploit the loophole and profit from the danger.
This wasn’t a first offense. Caudill already had a 2016 felony conviction in Scott County, Indiana, for methamphetamine possession – a fact that legally barred him from owning any firearms. Yet, he brazenly manufactured and sold weapons, adding another layer of recklessness to his criminal enterprise. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana, made it clear that this level of disregard for the law will not be tolerated. “Deadly weapons in the hands of violent criminals and drug traffickers pose a profound danger to our communities,” he stated.
The case was a joint effort between the ATF Louisville Group IV and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, highlighted the unique challenge posed by ghost guns, emphasizing that the agency will continue to partner with local authorities to bring traffickers to justice. Judge Tanya Walton Pratt imposed the seven-year sentence, also ordering three years of supervised release upon Caudill’s completion of his prison term.
This prosecution falls under the Department of Justice’s National Ghost Gun Initiative, launched in February 2022 to combat the rising tide of untraceable firearms. The initiative aims to train prosecutors and share resources to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes involving these dangerous weapons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller prosecuted the case, demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to dismantling these illegal operations and keeping communities safe.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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