GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – A Ravenna, Michigan man is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after authorities uncovered a disturbing arsenal in his home. Zebulon Timothy Nester, 27, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison today for being a felon in possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced. He’ll also spend an additional three years under supervised release once he’s finally out.
The bust went down on July 1, 2022, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Nester’s Ravenna residence. What they found wasn’t just a few illegally owned guns; it was a full-blown operation. Investigators seized multiple firearms, unregistered firearm silencers, a stockpile of ammunition, various firearm accessories, and even body armor. The real kicker? A 3-D printer and several 3-D printed “Glock switches” – devices that turn semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machine guns. Even possessing these switches, detached from a firearm, is a federal crime.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Just weeks prior, on June 8, 2022, Nester was caught by local authorities with a firearm in connection to a Newaygo County breaking and entering where another handgun was stolen. The pattern of behavior painted a clear picture: Nester had no regard for the law and was actively stockpiling weapons despite his felony status. “Whether they are purchased illegally, stolen, or manufactured at home, federal law is clear: firearms, ammunition, unregistered silencers, and firearm conversion devices do not belong in the hands of felons,” Totten stated.
ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir didn’t mince words either. “Zebulon Nester blatantly and illegally possessed and sold firearms buying himself another round in federal prison. Risking the safety of our community will not be tolerated,” Deir said. The case highlights the ATF’s ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal gun trafficking and hold accountable those who put public safety at risk. The investigation was led by the ATF, with Assistant United States Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky handling the prosecution.
Federal prosecutors are framing Nester’s sentencing as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses on targeting the most dangerous offenders and pairing enforcement with community-based prevention and reentry programs. While the program has seen mixed results, the government argues that it’s a crucial component in tackling rising violence in cities across the country.
Nester’s 150-month sentence sends a message, according to authorities: illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon carries serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on other instances of federal firearms enforcement in the Western District of Michigan and beyond. The question remains: will these lengthy sentences truly deter others from following in Nester’s footsteps, or will the illegal gun trade continue to thrive in the shadows?
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