JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Federal confidential informants posing as leaders of a motorcycle gang uncovered an illegal gun operation in Jacksonville, according to a release from United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg's office.
Lucas Shirley II, 28, has now been sentenced to five years and five months in prison after he was caught by the confidential informants and arrested. He pleaded guilty to transferring unregistered short-barreled rifles on August 17, 2023.
While posing as the motorcycle gang members, the officers purchased several weapons, including machine guns, from Shirley, which were not registered. They saw that he had tools and machines to make firearm parts.
Shirley also told the officers that he made armor-piercing munition and "the firearms he was building were like the ones that U.S. Navy SEALs carry in battle," in texts.
Shirley was arrested on Feb. 2, 2023 and privately-manufactured weapons, over 200 rounds of ammunition and machinery used to convert machineguns were found in his home. Agents also found methamphetamine and marijuana, a pipe suitable for smoking methamphetamine and various firearm accessories and parts, including components that had been created using 3D printers. They also found tools, raw materials, and equipment, including a 3D printer, which can be used to manufacture firearms, silencers, and machinegun conversion devices.
