Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally selling a dozen machinegun conversion devices.
Michael Wilkerson, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business as a manufacturer or dealer in firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2024. Wilkerson was initially arrested and charged along with co-defendant Elijah Navarro in February 2023. The defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2023.
In January 2023, Navarro agreed to sell 12 machinegun conversion devices to an individual in exchange for $1,700. Following a series of communications, Navarro met the individual twice at a pre-arranged location. On Jan. 19, 2023, Navarro sold the first two machinegun conversion devices for $400 and later, on Jan. 25, 2023, Navarro sold the remaining 10 devices for an additional $1,300 out of Wilkerson’s residence.
During a search of Wilkerson’s residence in February 2023, two 3-D printers, 3-D printing material, machinegun conversion devices, a ballistic vest as well as firearms, ammunition and magazines were seized.
Neither Navarro nor Wilkerson possess licenses to import, manufacture, deal or possess firearms.
Navarro pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy in December 2023. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2024.
The charge of engaging in the business as a manufacturer or dealer in firearms provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000. The charge of unlawful transferring or possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.