Man sentenced for manufacturing ghost guns and drug possession

Appellate Courts
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Ryan K. Buchanan U.S. Attorney | US Attorney's office Northern District of Georgia

Richard Eric Greeson has been sentenced to federal prison for manufacturing and selling unserialized and untraceable rifles, known as "ghost guns," and possessing methamphetamine.

“Greeson threatened the safety of our community by illegally possessing, manufacturing, and selling illegal firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This joint investigative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers helped achieve Greeson’s prosecution and conviction, which makes our community safer.”

“Criminals must understand that there are serious repercussions for the illegal possession, manufacturing, and selling of firearms,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Jones. “ATF and our law enforcement partners will contribute all necessary time and effort to ensure criminals are brought to justice.”

“The Carroll County Sheriff's Office is thankful for our strong partnership with the ATF and is proud that our Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Unit played a key role in assisting with the investigation and safely apprehending Mr. Greeson. This collaboration has led to the removal of dangerous drugs and illegal firearms from the streets of Carroll County, helping to make our community safer.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan: In 2008, Richard Eric Greeson received a state court sentence followed by 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated child molestation and six counts of child molestation involving a six-year-old girl. In September 2022, Greeson’s probation officer learned he was allegedly manufacturing firearms at his home in Carroll County, Georgia.

During a subsequent search of Gresson’s truck, his probation officer discovered firearm trigger components, cleaning parts, and ammunition. The probation officer also found evidence that Greeson had ordered gun parts from vendors on the internet. Law enforcement then searched Greeson’s home and discovered a firearms workshop in one bedroom. Investigators recovered an industrial drill, a jig, and a partially milled firearm receiver in the home. Buried in a wooded area behind Greeson’s home was a gun case containing an unserialized semiautomatic rifle, more than 400 rounds of ammunition, eight high-capacity magazines.

On December 12, 2023, a grand jury indicted Greeson for violating federal firearms laws. Two days later during a traffic stop special agents arrested him with assistance from local law enforcement officers; they seized methamphetamine during this arrest.

Richard Eric Greeson was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr., receiving seven years in prison followed by three years supervised release after pleading guilty on June 11th.

This case was investigated by multiple agencies including Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives Georgia Department Community Supervision Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Carrollton Police Department Assistant U.S Attorney Theodore S Hertzberg prosecuted case

This case is part Project Safe Neighborhoods program aimed reducing violent crime gun violence making neighborhoods safer launched May Department strategy strengthening PSN based core principles fostering trust legitimacy communities supporting organizations preventing violence setting strategic priorities measuring results

For further information contact U.S Attorney Public Affairs Office USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov (404)581-6016 Internet address http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga