Longtime readers here and early GunTube fans have likely followed Dugan Ashley of CarniK Con (Carnivorous Kinetic Concepts) since he burst onto the scene around 2013. Jordan Derrick, who is an OIF Army veteran, brought something fresh with his high-energy humor and unique access to obscure firearms and full autos, at least in the early days of Guntube. Along with a healthy dose of genuine technical firearms knowledge, Dugan also self-produced gun-themed music tracks, and in my opinion, had an unfiltered American spirit, specifically unique to the state of Missouri.
His videos mixed machine gun shoots, gun culture commentary, and crew antics in a way that felt novel at the time: what I or the rest of the TFBTV crew might have called a high-effort production for that time period. Many supporters, including myself to this day, jam to his tracks like “Hold an AK,” and generally view him as a true pioneer who did it for the love of the game rather than to shill the latest hot products. After stepping away due to an MS diagnosis that affected his health and family, he would appear on a few podcasts here and there, and he would even later return for more consistent posts on his current channel, with content focusing on “energetic materials.” Now, he’s facing federal charges.
“The complaint alleges that beginning no later than Sept. 18, 2023, Derrick began using several social media sites to distribute videos of himself making various explosive materials, to include detonators, nickel aminoguanidine perchlorate (NAP), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), [and many others]. In his videos, Derrick provided step-by-step instructions on how to make these explosives.”
— U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri Full Press Release
Including myself, the wider firearms community, from what I can assess, has largely responded with strong support for Dugan, as he is lovingly still called. There are, of course, those who are either indifferent or support him being incarcerated as well. His wife, Phoebe, has launched the Dugan Ashley Defense Fund on GiveSendGo, which has raised nearly $47,000 toward legal costs. Those who can’t donate or who just want to remind people of his impact on the industry continue to share classic CarniK Con clips and music to remind people of his unique and, in my opinion, fun way of presenting firearms.
As with all American defendants who find themselves in situations like this, Jordan Derrick is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Those, like me, who enjoyed his work over the past decade, hope for the best outcome as the case moves forward. For official information regarding his specific case, you can take a look at the U.S. Attorney’s announcement. I’d also personally ask that you consider supporting the defense fund to help ensure strong legal representation for the veteran creator and his family, pun intended.
The following is the last known update from Jordan Ashley on his GiveSendGo page, as he is currently in federal custody at the time of writing and has been denied bond by the judge on the grounds of “hate speech.”
From the Dug man himself
May 17, 2026
“This is Dugan. I am detained and not in control of ANY social media accounts.
Whelp, it's that season to bail Dugan out of total destruction again. (Silly joke)--I'm humbled. I can't believe that so many people know or care enough to give so much help to this situation. I'm presently disposed in Pettis County Fed holding.
It's hard to face such a helpless process. It feels like I'm facing an army but I am patiently waiting to argue my defense. I've accepted the road is long regardless. I thank each of you for helping my family when I cannot.
Darkness is ahead but I trust that God will deliver me to where I belong. It's true that it's always darkest before the dawn.
-Jordan Derrick aka Dugan Ashley”
