Baltimore, Md. (Dec. 30, 2022) – On Dec. 29, 2022, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Baltimore Police Department (BPD) SWAT executed a search and seizure warrant in the 400 block of North Rose Street in the Southeastern District.

Inside the dwelling, SWAT officers observed and seized approximately 20 Polymer80 handguns in various stages of assembly, Polymer80 gun manufacturing equipment, a 3D printer with supplies, multiple rolls of colored printer filament, memory cards, 3D-printed gun parts, gun ammunition, spent shell-casings, as well as other materials that were collected into evidence.

Kevin Wallace, 49, was arrested on the scene. Wallace has an extensive criminal background that includes first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and burglary, malicious destruction of property, felony and misdemeanor drug convictions. Six prior disqualifying criminal convictions prohibit Wallace from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition. 

“Unfortunately, the number of ghost guns recovered in Baltimore has increased exponentially year-over-year from nine in 2018 to 477 this year. These guns are extremely hard to trace and difficult to tie to murders and they have no place in our city,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “This is a truly outstanding achievement. I applaud the tireless and meaningful efforts of SWAT, our District Detectives and the entire BPD Team. We must continue to see to it that Polymer80 and other manufacturers of build kits cannot create a marketplace of untraceable, easy-to-obtain weapons. The more guns we keep out of the hands of people who should not have weapons, the sooner we can reduce the number of violent crimes in Baltimore. This is a truly hopeful way to end 2022.”

A social media posting led to an investigation by the District Action Team (DAT) members.  Through the course of the investigation, Wallace was positively identified as the suspect. A search and seizure warrant was obtained after determining Wallace was using a 3D printer to build ghost guns. Of the seized materials, there were 20 privately made milled lower gun receivers, printed AR-style pistols, Glock and Smith & Wesson slide assemblies, two long rifles and BB guns.

“From the moment I took office, building public safety has been my main priority. Reducing violent crime and putting in the work to get illegal guns off our streets are goals my administration is committed to achieving each and every day so a seizure such as this is proof that what we’re doing is working,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Ghost guns have created far too much chaos and heartache in communities across this city and throughout our nation. I commend Commissioner Harrison and the Baltimore Police Department for what was done here and I know that we will continue to do our part to go after and hold accountable those individuals who have a brazen disregard for the law and the lives of innocent people who deserve to live and work in safe and peaceful communities.”

Anyone with information about illegal guns or crimes may call the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may also submit an anonymous online text tip to Metro Crime Stoppers by visiting the MCS website.

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