Frederick Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Trafficking and Machinegun Possession Charges (DOJ)

Baltimore, Maryland - Today, Jonathan Drew Bartgis, 26, of Frederick, Maryland, pled guilty to one count of firearms trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Chief Jason Lando, Frederick Police Department (FPD).

According to the guilty plea, the USPIS and ATF began investigating a channel on the social media application Telegram that advertised the sale of firearms and machinegun conversion devices. These conversion devices, also known as "Glock switches," are designed to convert semi-automatic Glock-style pistols into fully automatic firearms.

Through the investigation, postal inspectors identified a parcel inbound to Frederick, Maryland, that investigators believed contained a firearm sold on the social-media channel. After obtaining a search warrant to search the parcel, postal inspectors recovered a Glock 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition. The parcel was addressed to Bartgis's residence.

After executing a search warrant on Bartgis's residence, postal inspectors and FPD officers recovered an additional Glock 29, 10mm semi-automatic firearm, and three machinegun conversion devices, or "Glock switches." Inside of Bartgis's bedroom, postal inspectors and FPD officers uncovered more than 400 rounds of ammunition, multiple Glock handgun cases, numerous unloaded and loaded firearms magazines, assorted firearm parts, accessories, and manufacturing tools. Law enforcement also found empty boxes for privately made firearms, which are referred to as a "ghost guns," as there is no serial number on the firearm.

Additionally, postal inspectors and FPD officers located $21,660 in United States currency and Bartgis's cell phone. On the cell phone, postal inspectors discovered conversations between Bartgis and others in connection with the illegal purchase of the recovered firearms and trafficking firearms and Glock switches. Bartgis has a prior felony conviction, so he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

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.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, ATF, and FPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Rigney who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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