A US man accused of mailing an assault rifle and a 9mm pistol to buyers in Australia is set to plead guilty to firearm export charges on the eve of his scheduled trial.
Adam Joseph Bunger, 33, had maintained his innocence during appearances in court in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since his arrest in September last year.
A trial was scheduled to begin in Bowling Green on Wednesday, however the court was notified Bunger "desires to change" his not guilty plea.
Bunger is accused of using the "deep web" encrypted German-based website Black Market Reloaded to find buyers in Australia, the UK and other nations for guns.
A prosecutor told a judge Bunger received 100 private messages a day from buyers around the world regarding sales of guns.
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Australian authorities in June sparked an international investigation when they inspected a package in Sydney sent via express post from the US and discovered a Star Echeverria, Modelo Super 9mm pistol hidden inside an Xbox game console.
In July authorities allege two more packages sent by Bunger, one bound for Australia containing a disassembled assault rifle hidden in a DVD player and the other containing an "Uzi-style pistol" addressed to a UK address, were seized.
Bunger was charged with exporting firearms contrary to US law and dealing in firearms in foreign commerce while not a licensed importer, manufacturer or dealer.
