Memphis man sentenced for possession of 25 gun ‘switches’
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A federal judge has sentenced a Memphis man to five years in federal prison for possessing 25 machine gun conversion devices, also known as “switches,” United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced on Monday.
According to information presented in court, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a package from an overseas shipper addressed to Roosevelt Wilson, 43, which contained 24 machine gun conversion devices.
Former Mississippi basketball player accused of firing shots during car repossession
These devices significantly enhance the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm, converting a gun designed to fire a bullet and quickly reload after each trigger pull to instead function as a fully automatic weapon.
On February 28, 2023, officers made a controlled delivery of the package to the listed address. Wilson retrieved the package and the officers attempted to arrest him.
Wilson led officers on a high-speed pursuit through a residential neighborhood, tossing the package and a firearm out of his window. Officers say both were discovered along his path of travel.
5 injured in multiple overnight shootings
The firearm was later identified as a .40 caliber, privately made, Glock-style gun with no serial numbers and a machine gun conversion device affixed to it.
Wilson pled guilty to possession of 25 machine gun conversion devices and to receiving and possessing 25 machine gun conversion devices that had been unlawfully imported into the United States on January 12, 2024.
On April 25, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Wilson to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
