Elijah Navarro, Wilkerson, Gun Trafficking, Boston MA, 2023

BOSTON – Two Boston men are facing federal charges after allegedly peddling a dozen illegal machinegun conversion devices, turning ordinary firearms into weapons capable of rapid, devastating fire. Elijah Navarro, 24, and Michael Wilkerson, 22, were indicted by a federal grand jury, adding fuel to the ongoing battle against illegal firearms flooding the streets of Massachusetts.

The pair are each charged with one count of engaging in the business as a manufacturer or dealer in firearms. Wilkerson and Navarro also face charges of transferring or possessing a machine gun; Navarro with two counts, and Wilkerson with one. The indictment follows their initial arrest on February 16, 2023, based on a criminal complaint. According to court documents, the alleged scheme began in January, with Navarro agreeing to sell the conversion devices for $1,700.

U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins painted a stark picture of the stakes, stating, “Every illegal firearm and conversion device we take off the street is preventing a potential homicide, shooting or maiming.” Rollins highlighted that despite a slight dip in overall violent crime in Boston during 2022, the city continues to grapple with gun violence. The overwhelming majority of Boston’s 41 homicides in 2022 were committed with unregistered firearms wielded by individuals prohibited from owning them. Fatal shootings increased by eight between 2021 and 2022.

The alleged operation involved Navarro meeting an individual twice to complete the sales. On January 19, 2023, Navarro reportedly handed over the first two conversion devices for $400. A week later, on January 25th, the remaining ten devices were allegedly sold from Wilkerson’s residence for another $1,300. The sale was swiftly followed by a raid on Wilkerson’s home on February 16th.

ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson condemned the actions as “egregious,” emphasizing the danger of circumventing the law to provide unlawful possessors with fully automatic weapons. The search of Wilkerson’s residence uncovered a disturbing arsenal: two 3-D printers, 3-D printing material, additional machinegun conversion devices, a ballistic vest, firearms, ammunition, and magazines. Neither Navarro nor Wilkerson are licensed to manufacture, deal, or possess such items.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox lauded the collaborative effort with federal partners, stating that these types of operations are crucial to removing dangerous individuals and high-powered firearms from the city. The investigation remains ongoing, and the case will proceed through the federal court system. The outcome could contribute significantly to the ongoing effort to curb gun violence in Boston and beyond.

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