ERIE, Pa. – A former resident of Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, has admitted to possessing an unregistered machine gun, authorities announced today. James William McMichael, 72, pleaded guilty to a charge of violating federal firearms laws in a federal court.
McMichael, a former federally licensed firearms dealer, ordered various firearm parts that were then fully assembled into a functioning machine gun. The machine gun was then hidden in the ceiling of McMichael’s Port Allegany home, according to information provided to the court.
McMichael pleaded guilty before United States District Judge David S. Cercone on January 24, 2016. The court was advised that McMichael possessed a machine gun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Port Allegany Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McMichael.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2017. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
McMichael’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for federal firearms laws and put the community at risk. We will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who engage in such reckless behavior.
Stay tuned to Grimy Times for more updates on this story.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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