A Summit County resident, Alexander Beattie, 34, of Barberton, Ohio, has been sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for a series of firearms and child pornography offenses. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after Beattie pleaded guilty in May to multiple charges.
Beattie admitted to engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, manufacturing firearms and machine gun conversion devices using a 3D printer at his home, and selling them through a popular social media platform. Additional charges included being a felon in possession of ammunition—stemming from previous convictions for burglary in 2011 and domestic violence in 2018—and possession of child pornography.
The court ordered Beattie to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. He was also directed to pay $54,500 in restitution and $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) assessments. Judge Adams imposed the sentence on August 28, 2025.
According to court documents, between February 1 and November 4, 2024, Beattie manufactured illegal firearms known as “ghost guns.” These weapons lack serial numbers and are untraceable because they are typically made at home with no record of manufacture or sale. Beattie promoted his products by sharing photos and videos on social media platforms to attract customers.
During the investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), authorities discovered child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) involving children under the age of 12 on Beattie’s electronic devices.
“This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).”
“The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toni Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio.”
