MOBILE, Ala. — A federal judge has opted for a steeper sentence than recommended for a 22-year-old Evergreen man involved in a case concerning the manufacture of illegal firearm conversion devices using a 3D printer. During a hearing on Wednesday, Senior U.S. District Judge Ginny Granade sentenced Ishmell Jarah Williams to three years and one month in prison for possessing a machine gun conversion device, rejecting a plea deal that had advocated for a more lenient sentence of 2½ years.
Judge Granade expressed her belief that a minimum sentence was not suitable for Williams, emphasizing the severity of the offense. “Mr. Williams, you are extremely fortunate you are not going to be sentenced seven months from now,” she remarked, citing impending amendments to federal sentencing guidelines that could have substantially increased his potential sentence.
Williams pleaded guilty in February to charges related to the possession of devices commonly referred to as Glock switches. According to court documents, this case stands out; investigators discovered 74 units designed to convert semi-automatic firearms into automatic weapons. They also found a 3D printer in his living room along with forging equipment stored in his carport.
This case marks the first prosecution in Mobile’s federal court linking Glock switches with 3D printing technology. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Terrill reinforced the gravity of the situation, highlighting the capabilities of a 3D printer to produce these dangerous devices. “When we look at the circumstances around it, we had a 3D printer and the filament to produce these incredibly dangerous drop-in devices,” she stated.
While the U.S. Attorney’s Office endorsed the plea agreement, which included recommending a lower sentence, the assistant prosecutor described the leniency as a significant concession. On the defense side, Assistant Federal Defender Colin Fitzpatrick acknowledged his client’s offense, prompting him to comment on Williams’ youth and potential for rehabilitation.
Williams himself expressed remorse during the proceedings, requesting a second chance. His defense highlighted a challenging upbringing, noting that he had lost his mother to incarceration in kindergarten and had faced instability with caregivers, including a grandmother who struggled with addiction.
Experts on firearms have voiced concerns about Glock switches, particularly their capacity to transform semi-automatic weapons into uncontrolled fully automatic ones. These devices have been tied to violent incidents, including a mass shooting during a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, this past year and an incident in downtown Mobile over New Year’s Eve in 2022.
Granade permitted Williams to self-report to prison, allowing him to leave the federal courthouse following the sentencing. He did not make any statements to the media upon his exit.
This case underlines not just the legal ramifications of manufacturing illegal firearm conversion devices, but also a growing concern over the accessibility of such technologies through 3D printing.
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