Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing and Selling Ghost Guns

BOSTON – A previously convicted felon pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester today to manufacturing and selling firearms – including ghost guns – and unlawfully possessing ammunition.

Mickie Simmons, 32, of Brookfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, one count of dealing firearms without a license and two counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 30, 2024. Simmons was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in May 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.

On two separate occasions between March and May 2022, Simmons sold a confidential source ammunition and ghost guns – firearms that have been manufactured by an individual and not by a firearms manufacturing company. During a later search of Simmons’ residence, at least five ghost guns, including an AR-15 short-barrel rifle, 15 ghost gun kits, numerous rounds of ammunition, components of assault-style rifles, several other firearms and more than $25,000 in cash was seized.  

Due to a 2014 state conviction for breaking and entering, larceny and conspiracy for which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, Simmons is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danial E. Bennett and Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.