Columbus Teen Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Machine Guns and Ghost Guns Advertised on Social Media
Matthew Azor, 19, of Columbus, Georgia, pleaded guilty on December 17, 2024, to firearms trafficking charges after being caught selling fully automatic weapons, including ghost guns and machine guns, on social media. The guilty plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Clay Land.
Azor faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison, followed by at least three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will be determined by the court. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on January 18, 2024, investigators with the Columbus Police Department’s Gang Unit identified Azor advertising Glock switches and firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices on social media. An undercover agent (UC) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) contacted Azor on January 26 and arranged to purchase machine guns. Azor confirmed he had a Glock and an AR pistol, both functioning as machine guns.
The UC met Azor in Columbus and paid $1,100 for the following:
- A Glock model 17 9x19mm pistol equipped with a switch to convert it into a fully automatic machine gun,
- A privately made AR-style pistol (ghost gun),
- Three rounds of assorted 9mm ammunition.
ATF agents confirmed the Glock functioned as a fully automatic firearm, while the ghost gun was semi-automatic.
On February 29, the UC arranged another purchase from Azor, acquiring:
- A PA-15 AR-pistol with a loaded magazine,
- A purported Glock machine gun conversion device (MCD).
ATF later determined these firearms were not machine guns, but Azor continued to advertise and sell illegal firearms.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to stopping the trafficking of machine guns and ghost guns, which threaten the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
The Columbus Police Department’s Gang Unit and the ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams is prosecuting the case.
