JACKSONVILLE, FL – Lucas Shirley II, 28, of Jacksonville, is facing over five years in federal prison after being convicted of running an illegal firearms operation out of his home. Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan handed down the sentence this week, following Shirley’s guilty plea on August 17, 2023.
The case unfolded earlier this year when an undercover ATF agent and a confidential informant posed as members of a motorcycle gang and approached Shirley seeking firearms. On January 4, 2023, Shirley willingly sold them three privately manufactured rifles – including a machinegun, a short-barreled rifle, and a combination of both – along with a firearm silencer. Crucially, none of these weapons were registered with the National Firearms Registrations and Transfer Record, a clear violation of federal law.
The illicit dealings didn’t stop there. Over the following weeks, Shirley bragged to the CI and UC via phone and text about his manufacturing capabilities, even claiming his firearms were comparable to those used by U.S. Navy SEALs. He openly offered armor-piercing ammunition and sent photos of more unregistered short-barreled rifles and silencers. On January 24, 2023, Shirley sold the UC four more short-barreled rifles, again equipped with unregistered silencers, confirming two were fully automatic machineguns. He also provided three privately made derringer-style pistols, with payment promised at a later date.
A federal search warrant executed on February 2, 2023, revealed a full-blown firearms manufacturing operation within Shirley’s residence. Agents discovered a privately manufactured pistol and rifle (with a silencer), over 200 rounds of ammunition, and a staggering twelve machinegun conversion devices. They also found a template for creating more conversion devices, alongside two bags of methamphetamine and marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a plethora of firearm parts – including those made with a 3D printer. Shirley had no license to manufacture or sell any of these items.
“This wasn’t just a hobby; it was a deliberate and dangerous effort to circumvent the law and put illegal weapons into circulation,” said a source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Shirley was essentially operating as an unlicensed firearms dealer, building and selling unregistered machineguns and silencers.” The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office assisted the ATF in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Coolican prosecuted the case, which falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. Shirley’s sentence – five years and five months – sends a clear message that illegal firearms trafficking will not be tolerated. The investigation remains ongoing to determine the ultimate destination of the weapons Shirley distributed.
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