Lacey police arrest man accused of unlawfully possessing 3D-printed guns
Lacey police arrested a 43-year-old man Tuesday on suspicion of unlawfully possessing 3D-printed weapons.
Michael Eby Barr is being held in the Thurston County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. On Wednesday, he attended his preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court.
Judge Allyson Zipp set the bail amount after finding probable cause for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle. Lacey police arrested Barr on Tuesday at a gas station on Yelm Highway Southeast near Pattison Lake, according to court records. His arrest followed an investigation into reports of a convicted felon who was 3D-printing weapons.
The Lacey Police Department announced the arrest in a Wednesday Facebook post. Officers coordinated the arrest with the Thurston County SWAT Team as well as state and federal bomb squad technicians, according to court records.
That same day, officers entered Barr’s home with the search warrant. Court records show his residence is on the 5400 block of Pattison Lake Lane Southeast.
There, officers recovered an assortment of 3D-printed weapons and related items, according to the post. Those items included two loaded firearms and firearm stocks as well as grenades and claymore mines containing no explosives.
Officers also found 3D-printers and materials, ammunition and various knives and weapons. Notably, the doors and windows in the home were barricaded.
“We extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped get this suspect into custody before this became a more dangerous and violent situation,” the Lacey Police Department shared in their post.
In setting bail, Judge Zipp found the court could not be assured Barr would return to court when required and there exists a substantial danger he may commit a violent crime.
Court records show Barr has an open case in Kitsap County District Court in which he’s accused of third-degree theft, third-degree malicious mischief and resisting arrest.
Barr was previously convicted of harassment, threat to kill, second-degree assault and hit and run attended vehicle/property damage in a 2020 Kitsap County Superior Court Case.
Barr is due back in Thurston County Superior Court on Nov. 4 for an arraignment hearing.
A probable cause statement describes the investigation into Barr from the perspective of law enforcement. Prosecutors file such statements with the court so judges may determine probable cause for alleged crimes and set conditions of release during the pretrial phase. The following is summary of that statement in Barr’s case.
An officer assigned to the Lacey Police Department Community Resource Unit first received information about Barr on Oct. 22.
The officer soon learned there was a Kitsap County warrant for his arrest and he had a history of making violent threats toward law enforcement online.
“I hope you understand that I’m attempting to paint with specific fascist pigs that deserve every ounce of my rage,” Barr allegedly wrote in one post.
In another post, Barr claimed he suffered “psychiatric abuse” in Kitsap County and said he did not intend to re-enter the criminal legal system.
“I’m never being homeless again, and I’m never being arrested again, especially not over some contrived housing policy and harassment,” Barr allegedly wrote. “I’ve experienced the ugliness our system doles out as help.”
Barr was allegedly active on several subreddit social media pages and a video sharing website called Odysee where he advertised and shared information about 3D-printed gun designs.
Based on his content online, the officer determined Barr was capable of creating and tweaking his own weapon designs rather than copying or resharing other people’s work.
The officer developed probable cause to arrest Barr for unlawful possession of firearms and got approval for a warrant to seize items at his residence.
The officer then enlisted the help of the Thurston County SWAT Team and devised a plan to arrest Barr.
Law enforcement detained Barr at a gas station near Pattison Lake on Tuesday. He reportedly declined to speak but did share a brief comment after being told he would be booked into the Thurston County jail.
“I’m willing to go anywhere that isn’t Kitsap County,” Barr allegedly said. “Those people seem to want me dead. That’s why I feel afraid for my life.”
Law enforcement later searched his home where the 3D-printers, materials and weapons were found.
