A tactical response team arrested a Grayslake man who authorities say was illegally manufacturing firearms and machine gun conversion devices using 3D printers at his home.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) last month launched an investigation after receiving information regarding Charles A. Best, 31, of Grayslake.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Best was reported to be illegally manufacturing firearms and machine gun conversion devices.
Members of SIG and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team conducted a search warrant at Best’s residence in the 200 block of Highland Drive in Grayslake on Wednesday.
Detectives seized 64 machine gun conversion devices, three firearms and three silencers.
They also seized two 3D printers that were utilized in manufacturing firearms and firearm parts, Covelli said.
Several 3D-printed pistol frames and high-powered rifle parts were seized, along with over 1,000 rounds of ammunition and over 60 grams of cannabis wax, Covelli said.
The facts of the case were reviewed with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, which approved five counts of unlawful possession of a machine gun, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of a firearm silencer, a Class 3 felony.
Additional charges are likely, Covelli said. The state’s attorney’s office has filed a petition to detain Best in custody pending trial.
“This investigation undoubtedly prevented bloodshed in our community. Gun traffickers are a real problem in Lake County and throughout the Chicagoland region,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“I want to make it clear to anyone trafficking guns or drugs in Lake County: the sheriff’s office and our partners will use all of our resources to find you, arrest you, and hold you accountable for your actions. Our Special Investigations Group is relentless in pursuing and arresting violent offenders operating in Lake County and we are grateful for our partnerships with the ATF – Chicago Field Division as well as all of our other federal and local partners,” Idleburg said.