James Lane Winslett, 66, of Corning, has been sentenced to three years in prison for firearms trafficking and related charges. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith called the sentence a significant step in combating illegal arms dealing in Northern California. Winslett, convicted of dealing with privately manufactured firearms and silencers, will also face a year of supervised release after his prison term, as ruled by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Court documents reveal that Winslett ran a firearms trafficking operation, selling hundreds of firearms and silencers without the required license. He used online sources and licensed dealers to acquire parts, then manufactured and sold the firearms using his own equipment. Winslett sold an AR-15 style firearm to a customer he knew was a convicted felon, who was prohibited from possessing firearms.
As per the U.S. Attorney's Office release, Winslett also sold silencers, mislabeling them as automotive parts like “fuel filters” or “solvent traps.” In 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a parcel containing 25 firearm silencers, falsely declared as “car fuel filters,” which were later confirmed to be silencers by the ATF. Law enforcement found 36 silencers, over 30 firearms, ammunition, and manufacturing tools at Winslett's home.
Winslett did not have a firearm dealer license, and none of the silencers were registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by federal law. This case is part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021, focusing on building community trust and prioritizing enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily G. Sauvageau and Justin Lee led the prosecution of Winslett. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations were involved in the investigation.
