El Cajon Man Who Sold “Ghost Guns” While Serving as a U.S. Marine Sentenced to Prison

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - September 16, 2024

SAN DIEGO - Christian Ferrari of El Cajon was sentenced in federal court today to 37 months in prison following his admission that he sold 22 "ghost guns" to undercover agents without a license. At the time of the sales, Ferrari was an active-duty U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton.

Privately made firearms, commonly referred to as ghost guns, are made by individuals, like Ferrari, who buy parts and then use various specialized tools to construct and assemble the parts into a functional firearm. Unlike firearms made by licensed firearm manufacturers, ghost guns do not have a serial number, making them virtually untraceable.

Ferrari's arrest was part of the Privately Made Firearm Crime Reduction Project, which ran from February to May of 2023. The Project was initiated to address gun violence and the proliferation of ghost guns in San Diego. Using data analytics to identify trends in areas with heightened gun violence and the recovery of guns used in crimes, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) employed an intelligence-led policing effort to place resources where they would have the greatest impact. The Project resulted in the seizure of 165 ghost guns and the prosecution of 33 people, including Ferrari.

Between March 13 and May 9, 2023, Ferrari sold 22 ghost guns to ATF agents in exchange for $23,000 over four separate transactions. During one of the transactions, undercover agents told Ferrari those guns were going to be taken to Mexico. Ferrari responded, "alright, perfect," and agreed to sell the agents 10 more ghost guns for $10,000. After the final transaction was completed, Ferrari was arrested. Pictured below are the 22 ghost guns Ferrari manufactured and sold to undercover ATF agents:

Following Ferrari's arrest, agents discovered evidence that Ferrari was manufacturing firearms at a family member's residence in Lakeside, California. Agents later found a drill press covered in metal shavings consistent with material used to manufacture of firearms.

A forensic analysis of Ferrari's phone revealed numerous other conversations related to manufacturing and selling firearms and parts, which included AR-15 style rifles, silencers for firearms, and "full auto sears," which convert AR-15s to fire automatically.

U.S. District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant told the defendant at today's hearing: "What you did was an enormous danger to the public."

"By design, ghost guns are made to avoid regulation and slip past law enforcement," said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. "But with intelligence-based efforts like the program used to take these 22 illegal weapons off the street we are prioritizing public safety."

"Dealing firearms without a license oftentimes results in individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms - such as felons, domestic abusers, or individuals with certain mental health conditions - to bypass background checks and obtain weapons," said Christopher Bombardiere, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge of Los Angeles Field Division. "These firearms end up in the hands of criminals and are used in violent crimes, including homicides, robberies, and gang-related activities. ATF will continue to work with local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate the criminal possession and other criminal misuse of privately made firearms in the same manner as any other federal firearm offense."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shital H. Thakkar.

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 23-cr-01091-BAS

Christian Ferrari Age: 23 El Cajon, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Dealing in Firearms Without a License - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(a)(1)(A)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine per count

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

San Diego Police Department