Frederick Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms Trafficking and Machinegun Possession Charges

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced a Frederick, Maryland, man to federal prison in connection with firearms charges.

Jonathan Drew Bartgis, 26, received a sentence of 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearms trafficking and unlawful possession of a machinegun.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence 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 Interim Chief Kevin Meyer, Frederick Police Department (FPD).

According to the guilty plea, USPIS and ATF began investigating a channel on the social media application Telegram that advertised the sale of firearms and machinegun conversion devices, also known as "Glock switches." These devices are designed to convert semi-automatic Glock-style pistols into fully automatic firearms. Through investigative efforts, postal inspectors identified a parcel inbound to Frederick, Maryland, that investigators believed contained a firearm sold on this channel. After obtaining a 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 the search warrant, law enforcement recovered an additional Glock 29, 10mm semi-automatic firearm, and three machinegun conversion devices, or "Glock switches." Inside Bartgis's bedroom, law enforcement also recovered more than 400 rounds of ammunition; multiple cases for Glock handguns; several unloaded and loaded firearm magazines; assorted firearm parts, accessories, and manufacturing tools, including empty boxes for privately made firearms, referred to as "ghost guns."

Additionally, postal inspectors recovered $21,660 in United States currency and Bartgis's cellular telephone. On the phone, postal inspectors located conversations between Bartgis and others regarding the illegal purchase of the recovered firearms and other discussions about trafficking additional firearms and Glock switches. Bartgis has a prior felony conviction and 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 report fraud, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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