Date: 09-16-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Christian Ferrari

Case Number: 23-cr-01091

Judge: Cynthia Bashant

Court: The United States District Court for the Southern District of California (San Diego County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in San Diego

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

San Diego, California criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with selling 22 “ghost guns” to undercover agents without a license.
El Cajon Man Who Sold “Ghost Guns” While Serving as a U.S. Marine Sentenced to Prison

Privately made firearms, commonly referred to as ghost guns, are made by individuals, like Christian Ferrari, of El Cajon, who buy parts and then use various specialized tools to construct and assemble the parts into a functional firearm. Unlike firearms made by licensed firearm manufacturers, ghost guns do not have a serial number, making them virtually untraceable.

Ferrari’s arrest was part of the Privately Made Firearm Crime Reduction Project, which ran from February to May of 2023. The Project was initiated to address gun violence and the proliferation of ghost guns in San Diego. Using data analytics to identify trends in areas with heightened gun violence and the recovery of guns used in crimes, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) employed an intelligence-led policing effort to place resources where they would have the greatest impact. The Project resulted in the seizure of 165 ghost guns and the prosecution of 33 people, including Ferrari.

Between March 13 and May 9, 2023, Ferrari sold 22 ghost guns to ATF agents in exchange for $23,000 over four separate transactions. During one of the transactions, undercover agents told Ferrari those guns were going to be taken to Mexico. Ferrari responded, “alright, perfect,” and agreed to sell the agents 10 more ghost guns for $10,000. After the final transaction was completed, Ferrari was arrested.

Following Ferrari’s arrest, agents discovered evidence that Ferrari was manufacturing firearms at a family member’s residence in Lakeside, California. Agents later found a drill press covered in metal shavings consistent with material used to manufacture of firearms.

A forensic analysis of Ferrari’s phone revealed numerous other conversations related to manufacturing and selling firearms and parts, which included AR-15 style rifles, silencers for firearms, and “full auto sears,” which convert AR-15s to fire automatically.

U.S. District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant told the defendant at today’s hearing: “What you did was an enormous danger to the public.”

“By design, ghost guns are made to avoid regulation and slip past law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “But with intelligence-based efforts like the program used to take these 22 illegal weapons off the street we are prioritizing public safety.”

“Dealing firearms without a license oftentimes results in individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms — such as felons, domestic abusers, or individuals with certain mental health conditions — to bypass background checks and obtain weapons,” said Christopher Bombardiere, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge of Los Angeles Field Division. “These firearms end up in the hands of criminals and are used in violent crimes, including homicides, robberies, and gang-related activities. ATF will continue to work with local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate the criminal possession and other criminal misuse of privately made firearms in the same manner as any other federal firearm offense.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shital H. Thakkar.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 37 months in prison

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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