The U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom has issued a news release saying a Manhattan man has been charged in an 18-count indictment with removing, altering or obliterating manufacturer’s serial numbers, causing other individuals to make straw purchases of firearms and exporting firearms overseas.

The indictment was unsealed Tuesday.

Michael Andrew Ryan, also known as “Brad Jones” and “GunRunner,” 35, Manhattan, Kansas, was charged in the indictment filed June 3 in Topeka with knowingly making false statements to licensed firearms dealers; possession of firearms from which the manufacturer’s serial numbers had been removed, altered and obliterated; and exporting and / or attempting to export these firearms in different packages from the United States to individuals located in other countries.

According to allegations in the indictment:

–Ryan allegedly knowingly possessed a total of nine guns, including a Glock model 27 .40 caliber pistol, from which the manufacturer’s serial numbers had been removed, altered and obliterated, 318 rounds of assorted ammunition and eight magazines, which had been shipped and trnsported in interstate and foreign commerce in violation of federal law.

–Ryan had also allegedly exported and attempted to export these firearms in different packages from the United States to individuals located in Cork, Ireland; Mallow, Ireland; Pinner, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Victoria, Australia.

The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Kansas City Field Division; Department of Homeland Security Investigations Topeka Divisions; the Riley County Police Department; with assistance from the ATF Washington D.C. Division.