IMPERIAL MACHINEGUN POSSESSION SCANDAL ROCKS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Judge Mark R. Hornak has sentenced Ja’Shon Spencer, 22, to life behind bars after pleading guilty to violating federal firearms law. Spencer, an Imperial resident, admitted to possessing a Glock semiautomatic pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device.
A machinegun conversion device, or MCD, is a device that converts a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. Under federal law, both the MCD itself and the firearm equipped with it are considered machineguns and are illegal.
The investigation was conducted by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Spencer’s sentencing is set for June 17, 2026, and he will remain in federal custody until then. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in local communities. This program brings together law enforcement and community members to foster trust and legitimacy, support community-based organizations, and set focused enforcement priorities.
Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based on the seriousness of the offense and Spencer’s prior criminal history, if any.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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