NJ Man Charged with Possessing Unregistered Machine Guns

Michael John James Faces Federal Charges for Possessing Firearms and Controlled Substances

NEW JERSEY - Michael John James, 30, of Somers Point, New Jersey, has been charged with possessing unregistered machine guns and other firearms, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. James appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio in Camden federal court and was detained on the charges.

In February 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted two packages containing suspected controlled substances addressed to James' residence. On February 27, 2024, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the packages, observed James bringing them into his residence, and executed a search warrant. The search revealed dozens of firearms and ballistic items, including three operable machine guns, a modified short-barreled rifle, a modified short-barreled shotgun, and three silencers.

Possession of unregistered machine guns or other firearms, as defined under the National Firearms Act, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the investigation to special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Homeland Security Investigations Newark, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Somers Point Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Waegener and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.