Man arrested after MLPD finds drugs, rifles and a 3D printer

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Police arrested Steven Johnston, 63, for possession of firearms and possession of narcotics, and are potentially pursuing charges related to a 3D printer found in his residence, which could be used to create untraceable firearms, according to a statement from the MLPD. 

The Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit served a search warrant Friday on Johnston’s trailer at the Cougar Campgrounds in Wheeler, east of Moses Lake, according to the statement. Johnston was suspected of methamphetamine sales.  

Johnson attempted to leave the location in his vehicle but was taken into custody pursuant to the search warrants.  

“No incidents occurred while taking him into custody,” MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely said.  

While executing the search warrant, detectives recovered around $7,000 on Johnston’s person. In Johnston’s trailer, detectives found around 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, three ounces of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, two rifles and a 3D printer. Detectives assume the printer was used to print untraceable firearms, also known as ghost guns. However, this matter is still under investigation, according to Sursely.  

“I don’t want to say that the first time we have seen that,” Sursely said. “But the 3D printing is not a regular thing we handle.”  

According to the Grant County Jail roster, Johnston was booked on first-degree unlawful possession of firearms; possession, delivery or manufacture of schedule I or II narcotics or flunitrazepam and first-degree unlawful firearm possession. As of Tuesday, Johnston does not have a listed bail amount.  

According to MLPD, Johnston may be facing additional charges for the 3D printer and partially-manufactured untraceable firearms.  

“No further information is available to the public at this time because depending on certain factors this case could lead to something else,” Sursely said.  

HB 2320 

Washington lawmakers have approved new restrictions on the production of untraceable firearms made with 3D printers and computer numerical control, or CNC, milling machines, passing House Bill 2320 during the 2026 legislative session. 

The bill, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on March 12, went into effect March 24, and updates state firearms law to regulate the manufacturing and sharing of digital firearm manufacturing code – the computer files used to produce guns or gun components on consumer‑grade machines.  

A section regulating CNC milling takes effect in 2027. 

Supporters said the legislation responds to the rapid rise of “ghost guns,” which lack serial numbers and can be produced at home without background checks.  

During a Feb. 20 Senate Law & Justice Committee hearing, Rep. Osman Salahuddin of the 48th District said the bill targets how these weapons are entering the market.  

“With a 3D printer that could cost as low as a few hundred dollars and a digital file that you could download online, someone can now manufacture an untraceable gun with no background check, no serial number, no accountability,” he said. 

Salahuddin said lawmakers worked extensively with hobbyists, 3D printing experts, law enforcement and the attorney general’s office to avoid unintended impacts on legitimate makers and small‑scale fabrication.  

“The goal of the legislation remains clear, to regulate the manufacturing and sharing of these digital files while ensuring that we don’t inadvertently impact the CNC milling and 3D printing spaces,” he said. 

HB 2320 passed the House 57–39 on initial consideration, 58–38 on concurrence and cleared the Senate 29–18. 

The new law strengthens definitions around unfinished frames and receivers, digital manufacturing files and untraceable firearms. It also expands prohibitions on producing weapons that cannot be detected or traced by law enforcement.