Grayslake, IL – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, through its Special Investigations Group (SIG), has announced the arrest of Charles A. Best, 31, from Grayslake, following an extensive investigation into his alleged illegal manufacturing of firearms and machine gun conversion devices using 3D printing technology. The operation, which is part of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funded initiative, led to a raid on Best’s residence on May 1, 2024.
During the search, law enforcement officials seized 64 machine gun conversion devices, three firearms, three silencers, and two 3D printers purportedly used in the production of these items. They also confiscated several 3D printed pistol frames, high-powered rifle parts, over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and more than 60 grams of cannabis wax. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has since filed multiple felony charges against Best, including five counts of unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg highlighted the significant danger posed by such illegal activities and reaffirmed the commitment of his office to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals involved in gun trafficking in Lake County. The operation was supported by multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, emphasizing a collaborative effort to ensure community safety.
