Reseda Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Ammunition and Machine Gun Convictions

A San Fernando Valley man associated with a racially motivated violent extremist group was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition and possessing eight machine gun conversion devices.

LOS ANGELES – Ryan Scott Bradford, 35, of Reseda, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton for the crimes.

Bradford pleaded guilty on January 11 to one count of felon in possession of ammunition and one count of possession of machine guns. During a search of Bradford’s residence on July 27, 2023, law enforcement officers recovered 116 rounds of various ammunition, two machinegun conversion devices, four “chip” style machinegun conversion devices, and two “switch” style machinegun conversion devices.

Additionally, authorities found two 3D printers, one emblazoned with swastikas, body armor with SS bolts, and glass containers containing explosive components. Prosecutors argued in sentencing papers that Bradford “has been involved in manufacturing guns for years” and was working to arm himself and others.

“This violent extremist not only made numerous threats to kill Jews, but also was amassing weapons capable of carrying out acts of violence,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Hateful behavior of this sort has no place in our society, and we will continue to use all the tools available to protect the community from violence driven by racially motivated ideology.”

Bradford was affiliated with the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, a hate group, and used online usernames referencing the group to post racist remarks against Jewish people, including calls for mass murder and genocide. He also posted links and instruction manuals on Telegram concerning hand grenades, biological warfare, and the “Aryan Revolution,” at times offering to make firearms and firearm parts for others using 3-D printers.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Reema El-Amamy of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Su of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the forfeiture of the seized items.