A Wooster man with a domestic violence conviction is facing federal charges for possessing illegal components capable of turning handguns into fully automatic machine guns. Kenneth L. McKinley, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts, including illegal possession of machine guns and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.
The indictment alleges that on March 12, 2019, McKinley possessed two Glock-type select-fire conversion devices—one black, one silver—both unmarked and lacking serial numbers. These devices are specifically designed to convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, a modification strictly prohibited under federal law. Each unit is classified as a machine gun under U.S. Code, regardless of whether it’s attached to a firearm.
McKinley is barred from owning firearms or ammunition due to a prior misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence in Wayne County Municipal Court. Despite this, the indictment charges him with possessing 50 rounds of .22 caliber Winchester ammunition. Federal law explicitly prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence, even misdemeanants, from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
He is also charged with receipt and possession of unregistered firearms, as the two conversion devices were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Possession of such unregistered devices violates the National Firearms Act and carries severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison per count.
“In addition to the fact that a convicted domestic abuser is not allowed to have firearms or ammunition, these specific parts are illegal and put the public at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute all firearms violations, and especially to stop the flow of these parts into the country.”
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods—a federal initiative targeting violent crime through coordinated law enforcement action. Assistant United States Attorney Damoun Delaviz is prosecuting the case. If convicted, McKinley’s sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account his criminal history and the nature of the offenses, with penalties not exceeding statutory maximums.
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