Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A Summit County resident has been sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison for manufacturing firearms and machine gun conversion devices at home using a 3D printer, as well as for possession of child pornography.
Alexander Beattie, 34, of Barberton, Ohio, received a sentence of 210 months (17.5 years) from U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after pleading guilty in May to several charges: engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license; engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing firearms without a license; manufacturing a firearm without a license; being a felon in possession of ammunition with prior convictions for burglary (2011) and domestic violence (2018); and possession of child pornography.
Beattie will also serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. He was ordered to pay $54,500 in restitution and $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act assessments. The sentence was imposed on August 28, 2025.
Court documents state that between February 1 and November 4, 2024, Beattie used a 3D printer at his residence to manufacture illegal firearms, parts, and suppressors. These weapons lacked serial numbers—commonly referred to as “ghost guns”—making them untraceable by law enforcement agencies or manufacturers. Authorities reported that Beattie marketed these items through a popular social media platform by sharing images and videos demonstrating the quality of his products.
During their investigation, agents discovered child sexual abuse materials involving children under the age of twelve on Beattie's electronic devices.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Toni Schnellinger Feisthamel prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
"Ghost guns" are typically manufactured at home using kits or components that do not have serial numbers or identifying marks required by federal law. This lack of traceability has raised concerns among law enforcement about their use in criminal activity (https://www.atf.gov/firearms/ghost-guns).
