Johnny Matthew Battle Jr., Gun Trafficking, Florida 2023

MIAMI, FL – Johnny Matthew Battle Jr., 30, of Miami, is facing up to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted yesterday of illegally dealing firearms and possessing a machine gun. The verdict, delivered before U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom, caps a case revealing a brazen operation that flooded the streets with weapons and fueled criminal activity.

Federal prosecutors proved that Battle ran an unlicensed firearms business dating back to at least 2017. He wasn’t interested in legal gun owners; Battle allegedly sold firearms—without background checks—to individuals who openly admitted to being convicted felons or active drug dealers. The operation wasn’t limited to standard firearms. Battle also peddled “Glock Switches,” devices that convert handguns into illegal machine guns.

The scope of Battle’s illegal enterprise is staggering. Law enforcement agents traced the purchase of at least 170 guns linked to Battle, with many of those weapons turning up in crime scenes across the country. Recovered firearms have surfaced in New York City, Boston, and even overseas, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of his actions. Adding to the severity, Battle allegedly used proceeds from gun sales to fund his associates and even facilitated a shooting targeting a rival drug trafficker.

ATF agents initially flagged Battle’s suspicious activity—the high volume of firearm purchases and the questionable nature of his clientele—leading to a multi-agency investigation. The Miami Police Department played a key role, alongside the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Commerce, and Homeland Security Investigations. Evidence presented at trial included seized firearms and documentation of illicit transactions.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the case’s connection to Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. “This conviction sends a clear message: those who illegally traffic firearms and endanger our communities will be held accountable,” Lapointe stated. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayden O’Byrne, Ignacio J. Vázquez Jr., and Marx Calderon are prosecuting the case and handling asset forfeiture.

Battle’s sentencing is scheduled for October 27th. The case, 22-cr-20352 in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, highlights the persistent threat posed by illegal gun trafficking and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to stem the flow of weapons into the hands of criminals. Court documents are available via PACER at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

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