Lebanon resident was part of a duo allegedly manufacturing and selling 28 ghost guns
A 39-year-old Lebanon resident was part of a duo that was manufacturing and selling 28 "ghost guns" in the area, according to officials.
Samuel Snader allegedly acquired firearm parts between August 2021 and January 2022 for the the purpose of manufacturing and commercially dealing privately made firearms, according to U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.
Officials said Snader allegedly made the firearms, more commonly called ghost guns, which did not possess serial numbers. Snader partnered with Hector Colon, 30, Puerto Rico, to sell the guns.
"Colon allegedly located potential firearm buyers and directed them to Snader who personally delivered the firearms in exchange for money," officials said in a press release. "In total, Snader and Colon allegedly manufactured and sold, without the required federal license, at least 28 such firearms and obtained approximately $27,600 as a result of the offenses."
Both Snader and Colon were arrested Tuesday, when law enforcement seized additional ghost guns and gun parts in Lebanon County and Puerto Rico.
Commissioner Bill Ames: Lebanon County now accepting applications to fill the late commissioner Bill Ames' vacant seat
Jan. 6 Capitol Riot: Myerstown man gets probation for Jan. 6 Capitol riot role: 'I do regret doing what I did'
Return to View: Kortne Stouffer: How — and why — did she vanish from her apartment in 2012?
“As in this case, ghost guns are un-serialized and difficult to trace by law enforcement. They look, feel, and function like factory-made firearms, and are just as lethal in the wrong hands,” Gurganus said. “We will do everything in our power to take illegal guns off the streets and prosecute those who are involved in their unlawful manufacture, trafficking and possession.”
Snader was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson in the U.S. District Court on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and deal firearms, and manufacturing and dealing firearms without a license.
Colon is scheduled to have his initial appearance in the District of Puerto Rico, according to officials.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.
“Ghost guns are a danger to public safety all across Pennsylvania and we must close the loophole that allows them to be sold without a background check,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
The maximum penalty for each offence is up to 5 years in prison, according to officials. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, a judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense.
Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon resident Samuel Snader allegedly manufactured and sold ghost guns
