NJ Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Unregistered Machine Guns and Other Illegal Firearms

Following a search warrant, law enforcement uncovers dozens of firearms and ballistics items including three machineguns, a modified rifle, a sawed-off shotgun, and three silencers.

Somers Point, NJ: Michael John James, a 30-year-old resident of Somers Point in Atlantic County, admitted today to possessing unregistered machine guns and other illegal firearms, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

James pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Edward S. Keil to charges under the National Firearms Act, which included possession of unregistered machine guns and other modified firearms.

The case against James began in February 2024 when law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence. Authorities recovered a cache of firearms and ballistic items, including three operable machine guns, a weapon modified to be shorter than a standard rifle, another modified to be shorter than a standard shotgun, and three silencers. James acknowledged that all the items were operable and in his possession at the time.

The charges James faces carry severe penalties, including a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 30, 2024.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) 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 Camden U.S. Attorney's Office.