MACON - A Macon, Georgia man who admitted to making and concealing a small, single-round gun in the shape of a pen entered a guilty plea to a federal firearm charge, said Charles “Charlie" Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Billy Christopher Evans, 28, of Macon, Georgia, entered a guilty plea on Aug. 22, 2019 to one count of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell. The charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 20, 2019.
According to the proffer of facts presented at court Thursday, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call on Nov. 12, 2017 involving a man waving a lawn mower blade and acting erratically outside a local hotel. Deputies found Mr. Evans waving the blade, and the defendant promptly dropped the blade when instructed by officers. Mr. Evans was placed in handcuffs for the officers safety, and during a pat-down for weapons, deputies discovered a small pen gun, powered by a spring and trigger mechanism. The pen gun was approximately 4 and 5/8 inches in length and did not have any brand, mark of identification, or serial number displayed. It had a cocking handle, spring, bolt with a fixed firing-pin, bolt handle, and a blue cap measuring approximately 3/4 of an inch in length which held a.22 caliber round in place. This device was successfully test fired at the ATF test range in Martinsburg, West Virginia on Feb. 28, 2018.
“This case illustrates the variety of dangers that officers face every day while keeping us safe," said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney. “I want to thank all officers that serve the citizens of the Middle District of Georgia for their bravery, professionalism, and commitment to protecting all of us."
The case was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
