Somerville Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Ghost Gun Charge

SOMERVILLE, MA — A man pleaded guilty in Boston federal court to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition after investigators found more than 100 privately made firearms, commonly known as "ghost guns," along with machine guns, firearm silencers, 3D printers, and ammunition at his residence, the United States District Attorney's Office announced.

Robert Butland, 39, pleaded guilty on Thursday before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton. Butland was first arrested in August 2025 and later indicted by a federal grand jury. He remains in federal custody.

Law enforcement searched Butland's residence where they recovered numerous ghost guns from a locked bedroom closet, along with solvent traps commonly used as illegal firearm suppressors. Additional ghost guns were found in nightstands, backpacks, and coffee table drawers throughout the bedroom. Investigators also seized multiple 3D printers, firearm parts and accessories, filament, a workbench, and tools they said were consistent with manufacturing firearms, as well as ammunition in several calibers, including 9mm Luger, 5.56 Hornady Frontier, and ammunition. Prosecutors said the recovered firearms included machine guns and firearm silencers. Butland had reportedly been purchasing 3D printers and firearm parts since 2022.

Prosecutors said Butland was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior state convictions in Lawrence District Court for assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and wanton destruction of property. Court records also show prior state convictions for negligent operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a Class B controlled substance and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Butland's sentencing is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10.

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