An AR-style short-barreled rifle that prosecutors allege Vishnevski manufactured at home. (Photo provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Illinois)
A federal jury has found a Harrisburg man guilty on five gun-related charges connected to what prosecutors described as a small-scale gun manufacturing operation run from his southern Illinois home, including weapons produced with a 3D printer.
Yaroslav Vishnevski, 33, was convicted this week after a two-day trial in Benton. Prosecutors said a May 2024 search of his Harrisburg property uncovered two unregistered, homemade short-barreled rifles, silencers, and two additional modified firearms in his possession. Authorities also discovered a workshop equipped with three 3D printers, a Ghost Gunner milling machine, a drill press with firearm-specific jigs, and nearly 80 pounds of aluminum shavings — byproducts of machining gun components.
“The evidence shows that he was running a mini gun factory out of his house,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Leggans told the jury during closing arguments.
The case sheds light on the growing trend of home gun-making, as advancements in 3D printing and milling technology allow the creation of sophisticated, privately made firearms — often untraceable and dubbed “ghost guns.” Federal law allows for some privately made firearms, even without serial numbers, but certain types — including short-barreled rifles and silencers — require registration.
The investigation began after customs officials in New York intercepted a package containing two silencers shipped from China to Vishnevski. Illinois State Police executed a search warrant at his home after he accepted the package under surveillance.
At trial, Vishnevski’s attorney, Joshua Richards, argued his client was a hobbyist who crafted the weapons for personal use. Vishnevski, who did not testify, held a valid Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification card and concealed-carry license at the time and had no criminal record. “My client liked to tinker with guns, and he liked to make guns with his 3D printer,” Richards told the court, adding that Vishnevski “tried to follow the law as he understood it.”
Jurors, most of whom identified as gun owners during jury selection, deliberated for just 30 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on all five counts. Vishnevski was found guilty of failing to satisfy federal registration and taxation requirements for manufacturing or possessing two short-barreled rifles, a shotgun, and silencers, as well as possessing an imported shotgun with an obliterated serial number. A sixth charge was previously dismissed.
Following the verdict, Vishnevski was taken into custody and is being held at the Franklin County Jail in Benton pending sentencing. He has vowed to appeal the convictions.