A 30-year-old member of an anti-government militia group in the Ocala area is facing up to a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to possessing machine gun conversion devices and a silencer.
On Wednesday, October 23, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Joshua Walter Fries has pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of unregistered National Firearms Act weapons: a silencer (count one) and machine gun conversion devices (count two).
According to court records, Fries provided two auto sears (machine gun conversion devices) and a silencer, which he made himself, to a confidential informant.
While speaking with the informant, Fries disclosed that he was part of a local anti-government militia group. He further stated that he “made silencers, auto sears, and other weapons for the militia.”
However, contrary to federal law, none of the devices made by Fries were registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, which is a database maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Fries is facing up to 10 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.
In addition, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.