Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to two years and three months in prison for illegally trafficking machineguns and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on Dec. 15, 2022, while undercover, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Agent and a Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) Detective (UCs) met with Austin Perrine, 33, at a bar in Virginia Beach. Perrine discussed dealing machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), which render semi-automatic firearms capable of automatic firing with the single pull of the trigger, as well as building machineguns, pistols and silencers and having access to cocaine.
Perrine retrieved two MCDs from his clothing and showed one to the UCs. Perrine then exchanged the MCDs for $1,000 for both ($500 per MCD).
On Jan. 4, 2023, ATF and VBPD searched Perrine’s residence in Norfolk. Agents recovered two handguns and various ammunition, magazines, and firearms parts. As a previously convicted felon, Perrine cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police; and Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-105.