Latest news with #Polymer80
Cision Canada
17 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CBSA firearms investigation in the Prairie Region leads to five-year jail sentence Français
WINNIPEG, MB, June 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Robert Ripcik, a 57-year-old resident of Beausejour, Manitoba, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for firearms-related offences along with a 10-year firearm prohibition and ordered to provide a DNA sample. Ripcik, who has been in custody since his arrest on March 12, 2024, pleaded guilty in Selkirk Provincial Court to the following charges: False statements, contrary to section 153(a) of the Customs Act Possession of illegally imported goods, contrary to section 155 of the Customs Act Unauthorized possession of firearms, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code Possession of prohibited devices, contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code Possession of a prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code The investigation into Ripcik began in April 2023 after CBSA officers at the Winnipeg Land Commercial office examined a shipment that was found to contain items related to the manufacture of firearms without serial numbers. A firearm with no serial number is also known as a "ghost gun" and is untraceable. In March and April 2024, CBSA officers, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, executed search warrants at a rural property near Chatfield, Manitoba. Among the items seized were: Nine long guns with serial numbers (two prohibited firearms, seven non-restricted firearms) Two Polymer 80 pistol receiver blanks for Glock pattern handguns (restricted firearms) and other handgun parts without serial numbers One Ghost Gunner Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine and one 3D printer One lower receiver for an AR pattern rifle without serial number (a prohibited firearm) Fully automatic parts for an AR pattern rifle (prohibited devices) and other AR parts Multiple overcapacity magazines (prohibited devices) and ammunition One fully automatic AR-15 pattern rifle (prohibited firearm) One automatic switch for a Glock handgun (prohibited device) The CBSA Integrated Firearm Enforcement Team (IFET), with assistance from the Winnipeg Police Service, the RCMP and Manitoba Conservation, led the complex investigation that resulted in today's conviction. Quotes "The Canada Border Services Agency is committed to keeping prohibited firearms and firearms parts off our streets and away from our communities. Ghost guns in particular pose a serious risk for many reasons, including how difficult they are to trace when used by criminals. Today's conviction and five-year sentence is a direct result of the hard work of the CBSA Integrated Firearm Enforcement Team and our intelligence and criminal investigators in Winnipeg. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners, the Winnipeg Police Service, the RCMP, and Manitoba Conservation for their contributions in this case and for their continued commitment to protecting our citizens and our communities." Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General, Prairie Region, CBSA Quick Facts The CBSA IFET is a team of Intelligence Analysts, Intelligence Officers and Criminal Investigators working collaboratively to identify, interdict, investigate, and support the prosecution of cross border firearm-related offences. Smuggling and other Customs Act and Criminal Code contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law. A court conviction can result in fines, jail time, and impact a foreign national's ability to return to Canada in the future. CBSA Investigators have the ability to obtain search warrants and other judicial authorizations to search and seize evidence of criminal offences under the Customs Act and other border-related legislation. Learn more about weapons that are prohibited in Canada. For the latest seizure statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Meriden man sentenced to 20 years in prison for manufacturing, selling firearms
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A Meriden man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manufacturing and selling firearms. Jonathan Willette, 34, is facing 20 years in prison, suspended after eight years served, followed by five years of probation. Willette pleaded guilty to one count of sale of a firearm, one count of manufacturing a firearm, one count of possession of an assault weapon, one count of criminal possession of a firearm and violation of probation. Norwalk man busted with 150 grams of suspected cocaine, $20K in cash According to court documents, this comes after officers executed a search and seizure warrant at Willette's home on June 23, 2022. Authorities found several firearms, eight Polymer 80 brand firearms, five fully automatic firearms, and one AK-47 assault-style rifle. Firearm manufacturing equipment was also located, including drill presses, jigs, and 'Glock switches.' Authorities also searched his phone, which revealed that he was manufacturing, modifying, and selling firearms, according to court documents. Willette was not legally allowed to possess firearms because he had previously been convicted of a felony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I did not fire the gun': Alleged Maryland high school shooter testifies in murder trial
BALTIMORE — Jaylen Prince testified in his own defense Wednesday in Harford County Circuit Court, saying he did not intentionally shoot and kill fellow Joppatowne High School student Warren Grant. Prince, 16, is charged with first-degree murder in the September shooting death of 15-year-old Grant inside a high school bathroom. Prince testified that the gun went off because Grant 'shook' him. 'I did not kill him,' Prince said. 'I did not fire the gun. It accidentally went off.' Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healey cross-examined Prince, asking him why he had a gun inside the school. Prince testified that he routinely carried the gun because he was scared and because he did not want to leave it at home where his mother or younger siblings could find it. He said carrying the gun was the 'only way' he felt he could protect himself, and that he had lost many friends to gun violence. Healey showed numerous images of Prince holding guns. Investigators found the photos on Prince's cellphone. In one, Prince is pictured inside a relative's home with the Polymer 80 handgun he purchased in August. Healey used the image to contradict Prince's claim that he would only carry a gun when he felt unsafe by emphasizing that he often had a handgun in 'safe' environments. Prince testified that he and Grant began arguing in the bathroom after a misunderstanding about Grant's girlfriend. He said he didn't know Grant was in the bathroom until Grant 'blew smoke' into his face and 'kept getting closer,' trying to fight Prince. 'I told him I would kill him to get him to stop,' Prince testified. 'I didn't mean it.' Prince testified that he became 'frantic' when Grant's friends began to 'surround him.' In a cellphone video of the incident, Prince can be seen with his back to the entrance of the bathroom yelling in Grant's face with one of Grant's friends between him and Grant. Healey asked Prince, if he was scared of Grant, why would he yell in his face? 'That's a scare tactic,' Prince responded. In the video, Prince tells Grant that he would not fight him because his hand is broken — referring to an injury to his right index finger he sustained about a year earlier. Prince testified that as Grant 'kept getting closer,' he drew the gun as another means of scaring him into backing away. The gun, Prince said, was in his right hand. Prince's mother testified Tuesday that Prince's right index finger does not have full mobility since it was broken. Prince's defense attorney, Stacey Pipkin, physically recreated the scene in the bathroom, demonstrating how Grant allegedly shook Prince by his shoulders, prompting the gun to point from Prince's waist area toward Grant's chest before going off. 'I could not believe it happened,' Prince testified. 'I panicked and ran out of the bathroom.' Prince underwent several hours of questioning from both the defense and prosecution after which the defense rested its case. Closing arguments are expected to begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, after which jury deliberations will begin. ___________
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 7 years for armed carjacking with ghost gun at UNC Charlotte
(QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man has been sentenced to seven years after using an unregistered 'ghost gun' to carjack a student on the campus of UNC Charlotte, federal officials announced. Mark Jordan Williams, 37, was convicted of using a privately made, untraceable firearm to threaten a student and steal their Jeep Wrangler on March 23, 2023. The incident happened near Van Landingham Road and Martin Village Road. Court records show Williams approached the student, identified as L.C., pointed a handgun at them, demanded they get out of the vehicle, and stole their phone before driving off in the Jeep. Williams was arrested later that evening while still inside the stolen vehicle. A .40 caliber Polymer 80 handgun, often referred to as a 'ghost gun' because it lacks a serial number and is difficult to trace, was found in the Jeep. Authorities later confirmed that Williams, a convicted felon, was not legally allowed to possess a firearm. He pleaded guilty in January to possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. In addition to his sentence, he will also serve three years of supervised release. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case, with the prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte. The stolen Jeep was safely returned to the student. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Convicted felon sentenced to prison for using ghost gun in UNC Charlotte carjacking
A convicted felon, who made a ghost gun used it to carjack someone at UNC Charlotte, was sentenced on Tuesday to seven years in prison, said Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. PAST COVERAGE: Student carjacked at gunpoint at UNC Charlotte, man arrested, car returned officials say Mark Jordan Williams, 37, approached someone in a Jeep Wrangler on March 23, 2023, on the UNC Charlotte campus and forced them out at gunpoint. Williams took the victim's phone and stole the Jeep. He was arrested later that evening while inside the Jeep. He had a .40 caliber Polymer 80 ghost gun inside the Jeep, as well. Williams was not supposed to have a gun because of his criminal history. Ghost guns, which are privately made and unregistered, are illegal. On Jan. 9, Williams pleaded guilty to possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is in federal custody and will have three years of supervised release after he gets out of prison. VIDEO: Police on the hunt for man who carjacked victim at gas pump in Huntersville
