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After IRS, ATF Investigation, Man Faces 110 Years In Prison For Gun Crimes

After IRS, ATF Investigation, Man Faces 110 Years In Prison For Gun Crimes

Following a joint investigation involving the IRS Criminal Investigation division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and other law enforcement agencies, a man faces 110 years in prison for gun crimes. 

Kristopher Justinboyer Ervin, of Orange Park, Florida, was found guilty of guilty of conspiring to transfer unregistered machinegun conversion devices in a jury trial. Ervin and his co-conspirator, Matthew Raymond Hoover, of Wisconsin, referred to the unregistered automatic weapon parts as "Auto Key Cards."

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Credit: Alex Walker/Getty Images

According to an official release from the IRS, Ervin was convicted of seven counts of transferring unregistered machine gun conversion devices, three counts of possessing unregistered machine gun conversion devices, and one count of structuring cash transactions to avoid currency transaction reporting requirements. 

He faces a maximum penalty of 110 years in federal prison, plus supervised release and possible restitution payments.

His cohort, Hoover, faces a maximum of 45 years behind bars. 

The IRS reports that, according to trial evidence, Ervin's bank contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to report mysterious transactions that led bank employees to believe Ervin might be involved in illegal firearms trafficking. The ensuing investigation revealed that the workers were right. Ervin was operating an online business selling firearm conversion devices called lightning links. These components convert AR-15 rifles into fully automatic weapons.

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Credit: Natnan Srisuwan/Getty Images

Ervin publicly referred to his devices as Auto Key Cards, describing them alternately as a "pen holder," a "novelty," and a "political sculpture." 

In February 2021, the ATF confiscated and examined the purported Auto Key Cards, at which time an officer was able to extract pieces of a lightning link. The officer then placed the two pieces into an AR-15, successfully converting the semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic firearm.

Hoover's involvement largely relates to his YouTube channel, CRS Firearms, where he frequently advertised Ervin's Auto Key Cards. He told viewers they could use "discreet ordering" by mail to purchase the devices, and encouraged his fans to illegally alter their personal weapons. 

In a March 2021 raid that ultimately led to Ervin's arrest, federal agents confiscated 1,500 lightning links from Ervin's residence. 

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Credit: Choochart Choochaikupt /EyeEm/Getty Images

At this time, a sentencing date has not been confirmed. This case is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

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Rebekah Barton

Rebekah Barton

Rebekah's search engine optimization career began completely by accident as a college student. Over the course of her career so far, she has "grown up" with the SEO industry, from writing content while juggling classes to managing her own teams of writers and overseeing SEO strategy in subsequent roles. She is excited to bring her passion for high-quality content to CountingWorks, Inc.

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