Michael Andrew Ryan, Firearms Trafficking, Kansas 2016

Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Exporting Firearms

A Kansas man has pleaded guilty to six counts of exporting and attempting to export firearms illegally from the United States to individuals located in other countries. Michael Andrew Ryan, 35, of Manhattan, Kansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree of the District of Kansas.

According to the plea, Ryan used a hidden internet marketplace website that sold illegal drugs and other illegal goods to unlawfully export or attempt to export firearms from the United States to Cork, Ireland; Pinner, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Victoria, Australia; and Mallow, Ireland.

In connection with his plea, Ryan admitted that he exported or attempted to export the following items:

• Cork: a Beretta 9 mm pistol, a Taurus .38 Special revolver, a 15-round 9 millimeter magazine, 32 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, one round of .380 ammunition, and 41 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.
• Pinner: a .22 caliber UZI, a .22 caliber magazine for an UZI, 98 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, and 89 rounds of .270 long ammunition.
• Edinburgh: a Highpoint .45 caliber pistol, a .45 caliber magazine, and 19 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.
• Victoria: a Walther P22, .22 caliber pistol, and a .22 caliber magazine.
• Mallow: a Glock model 27, .40 caliber pistol, a Glock model 22, .40 caliber pistol, a 9-round magazine for a .40 caliber Glock, a 10-round magazine for a .40 caliber Glock, and 10 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

Ryan pleaded guilty to six counts of exporting and attempting to export firearms illegally. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2016.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kansas City Field Division, with assistance from ATF’s Washington, D.C., Division; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Manhattan and Riley County, Kansas, Police Departments. Senior Counsel Marie-Flore Johnson of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough of the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.

“With a computer and an internet connection, Ryan hosted an international arms trafficking business on the dark web, peddling firearms and ammunition throughout the world,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell. “Criminals of all stripes take advantage of technological advances to further their crimes and attempt to avoid identification and arrest. In this case, thanks to the hard work of the prosecutors and law enforcement officers involved, we were able to shut down dangerous criminal activity and secure the defendant’s conviction – but we must remain vigilant to ensure that law enforcement retains the necessary capabilities to keep up with criminals.”

“The fact that international firearms trafficking has reached Kansas shows the power of the internet,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall. “This prosecution shows our law enforcement efforts are working.”

Defendant: Michael Andrew Ryan

Criminal Charges: Six counts of exporting and attempting to export firearms illegally

City and State: Manhattan, Kansas

Exact Date: Not specified

Sentence or Outcome: Scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2016

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