Michael Parham, Machinegun Possession, Indiana 2023

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Michael Parham, 31, of Indianapolis, Indiana, is headed back to federal prison after a bizarre traffic stop revealed a loaded machinegun at his feet. Parham was sentenced to 46 months behind bars after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The incident, which unfolded on August 26, 2021, shows a blatant disregard for the law and a continued threat to public safety.

Carmel Police Department (CPD) officers responded to a call about a man slumped over the steering wheel of a white Buick Regal on I-465 Westbound near the US-31 South exit. Officers found the vehicle running in drive, with Parham unconscious and his foot still on the brake. The doors were locked, and windows rolled down. After managing to put the car in park, officers had to repeatedly shake and yell at Parham to rouse him from his stupor. He offered no explanation for his condition or potential intoxication.

A search of the vehicle quickly revealed the danger lurking within. A loaded 9-millimeter Glock semi-automatic pistol rested in plain view on the driver’s side floorboard. But this wasn’t just any handgun. Authorities determined the Glock was equipped with a machinegun conversion device – commonly known as a “Glock switch” or “auto-sear” – effectively turning it into a fully automatic weapon. These devices, illegal to possess without special licensing, are a growing concern in violent crime across the nation.

The sentencing isn’t Parham’s first brush with the federal justice system. He was already on supervised release following a previous federal felony conviction for robbery. This latest offense demonstrates a clear pattern of criminal behavior and a refusal to rehabilitate, according to U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “He learned little from his prior sentence,” Myers stated. “He will now return to federal prison, ensuring that the public will again be protected from any of his further crimes while he is incarcerated.”

The case was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Carmel Police Department. ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl S. McCormick emphasized the dangers posed by illegally modified firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson imposed the 46-month sentence and ordered three years of supervised release upon Parham’s eventual release from prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting all levels of law enforcement and community stakeholders. The program, recently strengthened, aims to target the most dangerous offenders and ensure safer neighborhoods. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle to keep illegal weapons off the streets and protect communities from those who would do them harm.

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