Frederick man admits guilt in federal firearms trafficking case

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Kelly O. Hayes United States Attorney for the District of Maryland | Department of Justice

Frederick man admits guilt in federal firearms trafficking case

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A Frederick man, Jonathan Drew Bartgis, 26, pleaded guilty to federal charges of firearms trafficking and unlawful possession of a machinegun, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes alongside officials from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Frederick Police Department.

Authorities began investigating after discovering a Telegram channel advertising firearms and machinegun conversion devices known as “Glock switches.” These devices can convert semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic weapons.

Investigators tracked a parcel believed to contain an illegally sold firearm to Bartgis’s residence in Frederick. After obtaining a search warrant, they recovered a Glock 23 handgun with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition from the package.

Further searches at Bartgis’s home led to the recovery of another firearm—a Glock 29—as well as three Glock switches. Officers also found more than 400 rounds of ammunition, several Glock handgun cases, loaded and unloaded magazines, assorted firearm parts and accessories, manufacturing tools, and empty boxes for privately made firearms often referred to as “ghost guns” because they lack serial numbers.

Authorities also seized $21,660 in cash and Bartgis’s cell phone. Messages on his phone revealed communications about illegal firearm purchases and trafficking activities involving Glock switches. Because Bartgis has a previous felony conviction, he is legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.

U.S. Attorney Hayes stated: “This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.”

Hayes commended the efforts of USPIS, ATF, FPD officers involved in the investigation as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Rigney for prosecuting the case.

More information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/.

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