By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that an Atlantic County man admitted possessing unregistered machine guns and other items.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Michael John James, 30, of Somers Point, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Keil to an information charging him with possessing unregistered machineguns and other firearms, as defined under the National Firearms Act.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In February 2024, officials say, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at James’ residence, where they recovered dozens of firearms and ballistics items.
Officials stated that among the recovered items were three operable machine guns, an operable weapon modified to be shorter than a standard rifle, an operable weapon modified to be shorter than a standard shotgun, and three silencers.
James admitted that he possessed all of the items recovered from his residence, officials said.
Authorities say James also admitted that these machine guns and other firearms were operable when he possessed them.
The charge to which James pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, officials say.
According to officials, sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 30, 2024.