An Ohio man was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a pistol converted into an automatic weapon using a 3D printer that he later used in self-defense outside an IHOP restaurant.
Gionni Dews, 23, of Cincinnati, was sentenced on Tuesday, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Dews used the converted weapon in self-defense during a shooting at the restaurant in Oakley on Nov. 26, 2021, WXIX-TV reported.
The gun used by the man was in self-defense, but was modified into an automatic weapon using 3D printer parts, the U.S. attorney explained. https://t.co/0O6j4tq58i
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“Even if you use the firearm in self-defense, it is illegal to possess an automatic weapon like the one used in this case, and you are breaking the law,” U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker said in a statement. “My office will hold you accountable for these types of firearms and you will spend time in federal prison.”
According to court documents, Dews was working at the restaurant when he had an argument with another employee, Terrence Jones, 28, WKRC-TV reported.
Dews left the IHOP and waited outside for a friend to pick him up, the news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office stated.
About 15 minutes later, Jones confronted Dews and allegedly began shooting at him, striking him in the leg, prosecutors said. Dews ran away and returned fire, unloading more than 20 rounds. Some of the bullets hit the IHOP, WLWT-TV reported.
Dews was eventually taken to an area hospital, where he was treated for his injury.
He was arrested by police three days later and was indicted by a grand jury in January 2022, according to the television station.
Dews pleaded guilty in March to illegally possessing a machine gun, Parker said in a statement.
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