Georgia college student pleads guilty to 3D printing machine gun

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ga. - A Georgia technical college student is facing up to a decade in prison after officials say he 3D printed a machine gun in his bedroom.  

On Monday, 20-year-old Jaden Michael-William Pope pleaded guilty to manufacturing a machine gun.

What we know:

Officials say an investigation into Pope began in September 2023 after he became the main suspect for a series of vehicle break-ins in Crawford County where firearms had been stolen.

When deputies arrested the Lizella man, officials say they found photos on his cell phone of personally manufactured firearms and silencers as well as links to a website that offered weapon templates.

A confidential tipster told investigators that Pope was making firearms and silencers in his bedroom. The tipster said that he had watched Pope use one of his silencers on a firearm.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives reportedly found photos Pope posted on Facebook showing the firearms, which included a Glock handgun that could be switched from semi-automatic to full-automatic.

In December 2023, agents executed a search warrant on his home. There, they reportedly found four 3D printers, computers, two machine guns, nine silencers, a short-barrelled rifle, and a stolen .45-caliber pistol.

Along with the weapons, agents say they found diagrams, instructions, and coding used to build the firearms, failed 3D prints, and methamphetamine.

What they're saying:

"3D printed machine guns and silencers pose a significant threat to the safety of our communities by increasing the access of illegally manufactured rapid-fire weapons to potentially dangerous individuals," said Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker. "I applaud our local and federal law enforcement partners for shutting down this clandestine machine gun manufacturing operation."

What's next:

Pope faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 13.