PEORIA, IL – Zavien James Ross, 19, of Washington, Illinois, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today to 27 months for trafficking in illegal machinegun conversion devices. Ross pleaded guilty to possession of machineguns, a charge stemming from his operation manufacturing and distributing 3D-printed “Glock switches” and “auto-sears.” These devices effectively turn ordinary handguns and rifles into fully automatic weapons.
Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) first caught wind of Ross’s illicit activity in November 2022, conducting two undercover buys. They secured a total of nine 3D-printed Glock switches and one 3D-printed auto-sear designed for AR-15 rifles. Federal law considers these conversion devices machineguns in and of themselves, regardless of whether they’re attached to a firearm, making their possession and sale almost universally illegal.
The investigation didn’t stop there. Just days after the undercover purchases, on November 28, 2022, the Peoria Police Department pulled Ross over during a traffic stop and discovered he was carrying a firearm. The following day, ATF agents raided Ross’s residence, uncovering a fully operational 3D printer churning out more illegal components. They seized five additional Glock switches and two 3D-printed pistol lower receivers, indicating a clear pattern of manufacturing and intent to distribute.
Ross was initially indicted in February 2023 and released on bond. However, his freedom was short-lived. A routine home visit by a probation officer in September 2023 revealed counterfeit money and forged checks, prompting a bond revocation petition. Ross surrendered to authorities and has remained in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service ever since. The statutory maximum for his crimes is a hefty 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Beyond the federal charges, Ross is also facing separate charges in Peoria County for unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna prosecuted the case, with support from the Peoria Police Department. The ATF led the investigation.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The program focuses on strategic enforcement, community engagement, and violence prevention strategies. The feds are hoping this sentence sends a message: printing illegal weapons won’t fly.
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