HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a Philadelphia man — a convicted felon not to possess firearms — regarding the home manufacture of 3-D printed firearms, and an ongoing investigation of transfers of those weapons.
Office of Attorney General Gun Violence Task Force agents, assisted by the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, Philadelphia Department of Juvenile Probation, and Philadelphia Police Department, recently served a search warrant at an apartment in the 6300 block of Chew Avenue and interrupted an active firearms printing session.
Kiseem Pressley, 18, is alleged to have been printing 3-D firearms and selling them. Pressley was arrested and charged with felony firearms offenses. He is being held on $500,000 bail and a probation detainer.
At the apartment, investigators seized nine 3-D printed handgun lowers — the base component of a handgun capable of containing the trigger and firing mechanism —- a fully-assembled firearm, three 3-D printers, and other items related to the manufacture of firearms.
“This felon was actively making and distributing firearms in the community — brazenly posting on social media that he was open for that kind of business,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Every print-at-home firearm that is transferred on the street presents a direct threat to public safety, as the guns are not traceable and could potentially be used in acts of violence or other crimes.”
Investigators became aware that Pressley was posting on social media that he had firearms available for transfer, and he also was depicted on social media with firearms.
That led to investigators securing a search warrant to be served at the Chew Avenue address on June 11. Law enforcement announced and entered the home, finding Pressley inside and a 3-D printer actively printing a handgun lower.
The fully-assembled firearm was found in Pressley’s bedroom.
The Office of Attorney General Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force works collaboratively with local, state, and federal agencies to track straw purchases and other illegal transfers and possession of firearms, and incidents of violence that result from those transactions.
The case will be prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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