MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Three local men have been arrested following the disruption of an online machinegun distribution network.
Rafael Carter Wesley, 19, Kyrees Darious Johnson, 22, and Avont Akira Drayton, 21, face charges of unlawful possession of machineguns. According to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, law enforcement detected a Snapchat group named “BLICCS&STICCS3,” which was suspected of being used to facilitate the trafficking of machineguns, firearms, and controlled substances.
Documents reveal that undercover officers joined the group in March. They posted images of a prop firearm, prompting Wesley to offer a trade for what is commonly known as a Glock “switch.” By the end of March, officers had purchased three switches from Wesley for $1,000.
In April, a second transaction occurred, this time involving both Wesley and Johnson, from whom the officers bought another three switches for $900. Later in the same month, the undercover officers met with Wesley to purchase an unserialized Glock 17 for $700. Wesley then installed one of the previously purchased switches onto the firearm.
Also in April, the officers met with Drayton to purchase a 3D-printed machinegun conversion device (MCD) for an AR-style rifle for $550. Drayton was again involved in a transaction in May, selling a drop-in MCD to undercover officers for $400. In June, officers purchased a Glock pistol and a switch from Drayton for $1,300.
Court documents indicate that approximately six controlled buys took place with members of the “BLICCS&STICCS3” group between March and June. Johnson is federally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions. Wesley and Drayton also have court-imposed restrictions barring them from owning firearms.
