Hundreds of people were interested in purchasing a device that allowed them to fire queues with semi-automatic rifles.
Thirty-year-old Timothy John Watson of West Virginia began selling rifle upgrade devices before the elections. According to The New York Times, citing data from the prosecutor’s office, among the buyers were members of the American extremist movement “Boogaloo”.
The device makes it possible to fire more than one shot at a time from a weapon like the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Watson sold it online under the guise of wall hangers for keys or outerwear. The code was also used in correspondence between Watson and his clients.
According to the prosecutors, an enterprising American was specifically looking for radicals who were threatened with street riots against the backdrop of the presidential election.
Four charges were brought against Watson on Tuesday, including conspiracy to commit crimes against the USA. If convicted, he could face up to 35 years in prison.