David Christopher Ballard, a 45-year-old resident of Catawba, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 87 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possessing multiple illegal firearms, including a machinegun. This was announced by Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The announcement was made with Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents revealed that on December 27, 2022, deputies from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve Ballard with arrest warrants for domestic assault and communicating threats. He was located traveling on I-40 and arrested without incident. During the investigation, it was discovered that Ballard had instructed another individual to dispose of his machinegun upon realizing he would be arrested.
Deputies dispatched to Ballard's residence found numerous loaded firearms and ammunition during a search. The items included a Spikes Tactical ST-15 rifle modified to shoot automatically without manual reloading and loaded with 25 rounds; a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver; a Glock 22 .45 caliber pistol; a Bushmaster XM-15 rifle; a Mossberg 12 Gauge shotgun; suppressors; and additional magazines and barrels. It was also revealed that Ballard had threatened his ex-wife with these weapons.
Ballard admitted possession of all seized firearms and ammunition during an interview with law enforcement officials. Court records indicate he has prior felony convictions which prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Currently in federal custody, Ballard will be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons once a facility is designated.
Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron expressed gratitude towards the ATF and Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Boykin prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
