Jesse Carter, Possession of Fully-Automatic AR-Style Pistol, Ohio 2022

CINCINNATI, OH – Jesse Carter, 32, is headed to federal prison for 84 months after a jury found him guilty of possessing a dangerous, untraceable weapon and violating federal gun laws. U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole handed down the sentence today, bringing a close to a case highlighting the growing threat of ‘ghost guns’ on the streets.

Carter was convicted in May 2022 following a trial that revealed his possession of a fully-automatic AR-style pistol – a so-called “ghost gun” – along with a standard pistol and over 400 rounds of ammunition. The illegal firearms were discovered in March 2020, and the case was brought forth by a federal grand jury in June 2020. Crucially, the automatic weapon lacked any serial number, making it impossible to trace its origin.

Federal prosecutors presented damning evidence during the trial: jail calls where Carter referred to the ghost gun as “the big one,” even detailing its hiding place – concealed behind the subwoofer in his car. This careless communication proved to be Carter’s downfall. Ghost guns, assembled from readily available kits, bypass traditional background checks and regulations, making them a favorite among criminals.

“These unserialized firearms are a clear and present danger to our communities,” stated Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. The Department of Justice recently modernized the definition of ‘firearm’ to include these kits, subjecting them to the same scrutiny as traditionally manufactured weapons. This sentencing underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the proliferation of ghost guns.

Adding to the severity of the crime, Carter was already a convicted felon when he illegally possessed the weapons and ammunition. This prior conviction prohibited him from owning any firearms, making his actions a blatant disregard for the law. Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Columbus Field Division, emphasized the agency’s commitment to dismantling illegal gun trafficking networks.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ebunoluwa Taiwo and Meagan W. Myers of the Cincinnati City Solicitor’s Office successfully prosecuted the case. The 7-year sentence serves as a stark warning: those who choose to arm themselves with illegal, untraceable weapons will face the full force of federal law. Carter’s case is a grim reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the rise of ghost guns and keeping dangerous weapons off the streets of Cincinnati and beyond.

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