Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BOSTON — A Springfield man pleaded guilty on February 23 in federal court in Springfield to firearms charges.

Edward Nathan Gale, 24, pleaded guilty to one count each of being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, unlawful firearms dealing and unlawful possession of machineguns. U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for June 14. Gale was indicted by a federal grand jury in Feb. 2023.

Between Feb. 22, 2022, and Dec. 2, 2022, Gale manufactured and distributed approximately 50 privately manufactured firearms (“ghost guns”) to individuals located in Kansas and Massachusetts. Between approximately Oct. 11, 2022, and Dec. 8, 2022, Gale also imported from China approximately 100 Glock-style machinegun conversion devices (“Glock switches”), approximately 60 of which he distributed in Massachusetts and elsewhere, along with other firearms and a silencer. On Jan. 5, 2023, a search of Gale’s residence resulted in the recovery of a Pioneer Arms semi-automatic rifle; numerous rounds of ammunition; assorted tools, parts and accessories used to manufacture ghost guns; and evidence of Gale’s importation and distribution of Glock switches. Gale had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, therefore his possession of the rifle and the ammunition (as well as the Glock switches) was illegal. Gale was not licensed to manufacture or distribute firearms; therefore his manufacturing and distribution of the ghost guns and the Glock switches was also illegal.

Gale faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on the charge of felon in possession of firearm and ammunition; five years in prison on the charge of unlawful firearms dealing; and ten years in prison on the charge of unlawful possession of machineguns. Gale also faces a maximum of three years of supervised release on each count, and he has agreed to the forfeiture of a Pioneer Arms rifle and various tools, parts and accessories for the manufacture of ghost guns. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. sentencing guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.     

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided by the Springfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.  

###