A Lewis County man with prior firearm convictions is facing a new federal charge after deputies recovered two 3D‑printed “ghost guns” from a truck involved in a January pursuit, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Prosecutors say 47‑year‑old Michael Lee Draper, who was previously convicted in 2009 and prohibited from possessing firearms, appeared in federal court on Tuesday following his arrest last month. In its announcement, the DOJ stated that Draper was barred from firearm possession due to his prior conviction, which resulted in a 13‑year prison sentence.

According to reporting by MyNorthwest, the case stems from a Jan. 22 pursuit by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Records filed in the case state that deputies attempted to stop a truck driven by Draper for reckless driving before the vehicle crashed through a fence on rural property. A passenger was taken into custody at the scene.

Draper reportedly fled on foot but was later located in a wooded ravine after a Washington State Patrol surveillance aircraft guided officers to his location. Court documents cited in the DOJ release state that investigators recovered a handgun and an assault‑rifle‑style firearm from the truck. Both were described as polymer‑frame, 3D‑printed firearms without serial numbers.

The DOJ also said Draper was under active investigation for theft involving his former employer, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. According to the federal release, officials allege that fraudulent purchases were made using the Tribe’s credit accounts. A portion of the items linked to that investigation was recovered from the truck after the crash.

State records referenced in the DOJ announcement indicate Draper currently faces five counts of first‑degree theft in Lewis County. Deputies also reported finding drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine inside the vehicle.

Draper had been held in Thurston County custody until his federal appearance this week. According to the DOJ, unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Why this matters for Cowlitz County

The case intersects with ongoing concerns in Southwest Washington about unauthorized firearm manufacturing and the regional impacts of financial crimes involving local institutions. The alleged theft tied to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe places a portion of this case within Cowlitz County’s public‑interest sphere, while the federal firearm charge reflects broader statewide enforcement efforts concerning 3D‑printed weapons.

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