A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and transferring three machine gun conversion devices. Demetrius Harris, also known as “Meech,” 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to two and a half years in federal prison without parole for illegally possessing and transferring machine guns.
The charges against Harris stem from the possession of an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, multi-caliber firearm containing an AR-type machine gun conversion device, and two AR-type machine gun conversion devices. These devices, also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” are used to convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns that fire multiple shots automatically through a single pull of the trigger.
On Jan. 24, 2024, Harris sold an AR-style firearm containing an auto sear, two additional auto sears, and ammunition to an undercover agent for $1,060. This transaction led to his arrest and subsequent conviction. Machine gun conversion devices, whether or not they are attached to a firearm, constitute machine guns under federal law, making it illegal to possess, sell, or use them.
The case against Harris was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a violent crime reduction strategy that was strengthened on May 26, 2021, with core principles that include fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The program aims to make neighborhoods safer for everyone by reducing gun violence and violent crime.
The sentencing of Demetrius Harris to two and a half years in federal prison without parole serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which law enforcement and the judicial system view the possession and transfer of machine guns and conversion devices. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods to combat violent crime and make communities safer.
In conclusion, the case of Demetrius Harris demonstrates the dedication of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system to combating the illegal possession and transfer of machine guns and conversion devices. As the nation continues to grapple with the issue of gun violence, cases like this serve as a reminder of the importance of enforcing federal laws related to machine guns and other firearms.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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