A Burlington, Kentucky resident, Juan Velazquez-Rodriguez, 48, has been sentenced to 85 months in prison. Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning delivered the sentence for Rodriguez's illegal possession of a machine gun.
The legal proceedings revealed that in January 2024, Rodriguez attempted to sell a machinegun conversion device (MCD) to a convicted felon. This unsolicited offer was reported by a law enforcement source. Subsequent searches of Rodriguez's residence uncovered an MCD lacking a serial number in his dresser. Rodriguez admitted to being aware that the device was meant to convert a firearm into a machine gun.
Further investigations into Rodriguez's social media and cell phone discovered exchanges about 3D printing firearm parts with another individual. While imprisoned, Rodriguez contacted this associate, instructing them to eliminate anything related to the 3D printer from their apartment. Rodriguez also made offers to sell MCDs to several others, asserting that the "switch," or MCD, could render a Glock handgun or AR-15 rifle fully automatic.
According to federal regulations, Rodriguez is obligated to serve 85 percent of his sentence. Post-release, he will be subject to supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for a period of three years.
The case's announcement was a joint effort by Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Paul McCaffrey; Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Rana Saoud; and Sheriff Les Hill from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between HSI and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel King is handling the prosecution for the government.
This case is associated with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement with communities. With a crime reduction strategy launched on May 26, 2021, the program emphasizes building trust, supporting community organizations, focusing on strategic enforcement, and assessing results.