Police bust alleged ‘ghost gun’ builder

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This article was published 09/03/2022 (1669 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon police busted an alleged operation to create “ghost guns” in Brandon Tuesday afternoon.

In April 2021, the FBI in Los Angeles contacted the Brandon Police Service about two people reportedly conducting cyberattacks, one of whom was believed to be living in Brandon, according to a Wednesday afternoon police press release.

“This has been going on for the last 11 months, and we believe that these two individuals are conducting DDos attacks on different systems and networks within Canada and the U.S.,” a police press release reads.

A DDos attack sends an abundance of web traffic to a target, which makes it unreachable and shuts it down, police say. The cyberattacks were allegedly being conducted for a fee with an online service.

On Tuesday afternoon, police in Brandon executed a search warrant at 2200 Pacific Ave. in conjunction with a separate search warrant in Texas, police say.

Dayne Parrott-Jones, 18, was arrested in Brandon without incident, according to police. The RCMP digital forensic services provided assistance and were present when the search warrant was executed.

Once Parrott-Jones was arrested, police allegedly saw a 3D printer actively printing what officers believe was the lower receiver of a handgun, police say. A BPS member attached to the National Weapons Enforcement Team also provided expert opinion, police say.

They allegedly found a “large quantity” of cannabis as well. As a result, police conducted another search for weapons and drugs.

Police say four grams of cocaine and four pounds of cannabis were seized. They also allegedly found a complete firearm, which was loaded with a high-capacity magazine that had most parts printed on a 3D printer.

Also allegedly discovered were a loaded 9mm high-capacity magazine, a loaded 10-round Glock magazine, three 3D-printed lower receivers of Glock pistols, a “large quantity” of 9mm casings, gun powder, 9mm primers, 9mm bullets, numerous metal gun parts, parts used to build high-capacity magazines and a kit to convert a Glock to full automatic.

“These guns are commonly referred to as ‘ghost guns.’ None of them have serial numbers and they’ve become a very big problem both in Canada and the United States, and we’re glad we could intervene at this time,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Partridge in a video.

Police said in a press release, it appears Parrott-Jones was allegedly manufacturing Glock firearms without serial numbers using a 3D printer. It seemed he was also manufacturing high-capacity magazines and ammunition.

The Sun was unable to reach Partridge Wednesday afternoon for additional information. Staff Sgt. Mike Tosh said he did not know if any of the 3D-printed firearms had been sold.

Parrott-Jones was charged with mischief to data, unauthorized use of a computer, three counts of manufacturing a restricted firearm, two counts of manufacturing a prohibited device, possessing a loaded restricted handgun, possessing a restricted handgun, possessing a restricted device, possessing illicit cannabis, possessing cocaine and possessing the proceeds of crime.

The accused has already appeared in court, police say.

Rolanda Chaske, 24, was also arrested, police say. She is not believed to have been involved with the computer crimes, but was charged with possessing a loaded restricted handgun, possessing a restricted handgun, possessing a restricted device, possessing illicit cannabis and possessing cocaine.

All the charges are still before the court and none have been proven.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @DrewMay_