Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearm and Destructive Device

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Henrico man with various charges including possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a destructive device, and receipt of images of child sexual abuse.

According to allegations in the indictment, on or about March 8, Ryan J. Millican, 22, knowingly aided and abetted the making of a false and fictitious written statement to Green Top Sporting Goods in connection with the acquisition of a Bravo Company Manufacturing Inc., Model BCM4, .556 caliber rifle.

According to allegations in the indictment, from on or about March 8 through April 25, Millican possessed a Bravo Company Manufacturing Inc., Model BCM4, .556 caliber rifle and accompanying ammunition. Millican was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

According to allegations in the indictment, on or about April 18, Millican knowingly made and possessed a Molotov Cocktail, which is a destructive device as defined by Title 26, United States Code.

According to allegations in the indictment, on or about June 14, Millican knowingly received child pornography.

Millican is charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm; possession of a destructive device; and receipt of child pornography. If convicted, Millican faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years on the child pornography charge, and a maximum penalty of forty-five years in prison on all charges. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

This case is being investigated by FBI Richmond’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Henrico County Police Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Duffey is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-122.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.