David Christopher Ballard, 45, from Catawba, N.C., has been sentenced to 87 months in prison for possession of illegal firearms, including a machinegun. Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, made the announcement of the sentencing which also includes two years of supervised release post-prison.
Joining Cameron in the announcement were Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF, Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Attempting to serve Ballard with outstanding arrest warrants related to domestic assault and communicating threats, deputies located Ballard during a pull over on I-40 and took him into custody without incident on December 27, 2022. According to U.S. Attorney's Office, Ballard tried to ditch the machinegun when he realized police were about to arrest him.
Subsequent to this information, Ballard’s residence was searched by deputies finding a cache of loaded firearms, including a modified Spikes Tactical ST-15 rifle capable of automatic fire. The arsenal retrieved from his home had a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, a Glock 22 .45 caliber pistol, a Bushmaster XM-15 rifle, a Mossberg 12 Gauge 500 shotgun, suppressors, and multiple loaded magazines. Ballard, who has prior felony convictions, admitted to the possession of the arms and having altered the rifle to automatic fire, contradicting the law's restraint against him owning any firearms or ammunition.
Ballard currently remains in federal custody and awaits transfer to a federal prison designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Acting U.S. Attorney appreciated the collaborative efforts of the ATF and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation. The Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Boykin, was charged with the prosecution of the case. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
