SACRAMENTO—Special agents in the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms assisted in an investigation which led to a three year, five month prison sentence for a Sacramento man who pleaded guilty to manufacturing and dealing firearms and possession of unregistered machine gun.
In his plea agreement on April 14, 2016, Daniel Albert Crowninshield, 54, who was also known by his online moniker “Dr-Death,” admitted that he operated an unlicensed firearms manufacturing business out of C&G Tool, a metal shop in North Sacramento. Using sophisticated computer controlled machines, Crowninshield manufactured lower receivers for AR-15s and other firearms. Crowninshield did not conduct background checks, enforce waiting periods, or complete firearm transaction paperwork. Crowninshield was sentenced on February 16, 2017.
“This type of illegal activity can lead to the harm or death of innocent people,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. CSLEA represents DOJ special agents. “DOJ special agents in the Bureau of Firearms investigate illegal firearm activity and routinely remove firearms from those who are legally prohibited from being in possession of one. This is vital work in the protection of Californians and those who visit here.”
Crowninshield advertised services on at least one online firearm enthusiast forum. Using the moniker “Dr-Death,” he was a prolific poster on the website. Additionally, other members frequently posted about Dr-Death, including review of service provided and recommending that other users visit his shop.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Firearms, with the assistance of the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol.
Crowninshield is ordered to self-surrender on April 13, 2017.
He was one of several Sacramento-area individuals involved in making AR-15 style firearms. On December 9, 2016, in a related case, Emiliano Cortez-Garcia was sentenced to five years in prison for making AR-15 firearms and a concurrent six-year prison term for possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a machinegun.
