Erik Addison, Machinegun Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2023

A convicted felon from Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been charged with possession of a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking and other offenses, announced United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.

The three-count Superseding Indictment named Erik Addison, age 27, as the sole defendant.

According to the Superseding Indictment, on May 8, 2023, Addison possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and heroin, possessed a machinegun in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and also possessed a Glock pistol equipped with a part commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch,” designed to convert a semiautomatic Glock-style handgun into a machinegun capable of fully automatic fire.

As to the most serious offense, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment with a maximum possible sentence of life, as well as a maximum possible fine of $250,000, or both.

At the time of the new alleged offenses, Addison was serving a term of supervised release following his conviction for a prior federal firearm offense in 2021. As a result, he is now the subject of separate federal court proceedings to revoke his supervised release.

According to court records in the supervised release matter, it is alleged that Addison was the subject of an attempted traffic stop on May 8, 2023. Rather than complying with law enforcement, Addison allegedly fled from the traffic stop—striking multiple law enforcement vehicles as he did so—and proceeded at a high rate of speed across the Homestead Grays Bridge from Pittsburgh to the Boroughs of Homestead and West Homestead.

Addison is also facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, including aggravated assault and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer stemming from his alleged conduct on May 8, 2023.

“Glock switches turn handguns into machineguns,” said United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. “Erik Addison allegedly possessed one such machinegun in furtherance of his fentanyl and heroin dealing—a lethal combination of staggering proportions. This office and our dedicated partners in law enforcement will continue our ceaseless pursuit of violent offenders in order to protect the community and ordinary citizens who just want to walk down the street without fear of deadly gunfire.”

Defendant: Erik Addison

Criminal Charges: Possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.

City and State: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Exact Date: May 8, 2023

Sentence or Outcome: Currently facing federal charges and potential revocation of supervised release; facing additional charges in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Dollar Amounts: $250,000 maximum possible fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/convicted-felon-supervised-release-charged-possessing-machinegun-furtherance-fentanyl