Plainwell Man Convicted of Federal Arms Trafficking Charges

A South Western Michigan Man pleaded guilty to federal charges related to arms trafficking to Europe.

30-year-old Benjamin James Cance of Plainwell was convicted on charges of international arms trafficking, money laundering, and possession of an unresgistered machinegun.

Prosecutors say that Cance illegally sold firearms on the “Darknet” to people in countries like Germany, the UK and Poland, and used electronic currencies like Bitcoin to hide the transactions.

The charges he is facing carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail. In accepting the plea deal, the machinegun charge will be dropped at his sentencing on January 15.