U.S. Attorney’s Office And ATF Highlight Emerging Threat Posed by Machinegun Conversion Devices

Press Release

U.S. Attorney also announces joint strategy to target the deadly devices

MADISON, WIS. - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Wisconsin and the ATF Madison Field Office are joining together to highlight the dangers of machinegun conversion devices (MCDs). The devices are an emerging threat, and law enforcement agents are increasingly finding them in Wisconsin.

About an inch-long, an MCD is an illegal after-market device that converts a semi-automatic firearm into a fully functioning machinegun. A firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device is extremely dangerous, even for experienced firearms users, because it is difficult to control and is capable of firing 50 rounds in four seconds with a single pull of the trigger. For more information about the devices, please see the attached ATF materials and video link below.

"Machinegun conversion devices are extraordinarily dangerous," said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O'Shea. "These devices are often used in weapons that are not designed to function as machine guns, thus making the weapons incredibly difficult to aim. Discharging a weapon equipped with such a device in a public area endangers every child and adult within range. Keeping these illegal devices off the streets in Wisconsin and keeping our citizens free of fear from these weapons is one of my highest priorities," said O'Shea.

"The proliferation of machinegun conversion devices adds another, even more deadly, layer to firearms violence" said Special Agent William Fulton, Resident Agent in Charge of the ATF Madison Field Office. "These devices, in the wrong hands, can have catastrophic consequences. ATF will continue to aggressively work with our partners to take these devices off the streets."

"Machinegun conversion devices pose a significant threat to public safety," said Eric Rice, resident agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Wisconsin. "Through enforcement, investigation, and education, we are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of these devices. Law enforcement agencies will continue to collaborate to dismantle networks involved in their distribution and use. By enhancing our investigative capabilities and educating the public about the risks, we can better protect our communities and ensure public safety."

To combat the rise in MCDs, U.S. Attorney O'Shea also announced that his office is partnering with law enforcement agencies, including ATF, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Postal Service to implement a district-wide strategy. On November 21, 2024, U.S. Attorney O'Shea and ATF SA Fulton explained the district's strategy on a call with Wisconsin law enforcement and district attorneys. The strategy has three parts: enforcement, investigation, and education.

Regarding enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office will vigorously prosecute cases involving MCDs. Although MCDs may be advertised as legal online to avoid law enforcement detection or to defeat internet advertising protocols, that is not true. The possession, manufacture, and/or sale of MCDs is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. An MCD on its own is considered an illegal machine gun under federal law and cannot be possessed, even without a firearm.]

Regarding investigation, U.S. Attorney O'Shea explained that ATF has provided MCD guides for local law enforcement agencies and will provide training on MCDs and ATF resources throughout the state. Also, because many MCDs are shipped through the U.S. Mail and other carriers, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Service are working with ATF to identify for further investigation packages potentially containing MCDs that were shipped to individuals involved in gun violence or affiliated with criminal gangs.

Finally, regarding the education part of the strategy, the U.S. Attorney's Office and ATF are reaching out to local media, Crime Stoppers groups, and local public health departments to get the word out about the danger of MCDs.

During 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office has prosecuted the following cases involving MCDs. Several more MCD cases are under investigation. Federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.

Name	Sentence	Investigating Agencies
Byron Ellison	3.5 years	Dane County Narcotics Task Force ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force
Byron D. Broomfield	6.5 years	Beloit Police Department DCI Drug Enforcement Administration Wisconsin State Patrol ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force
Damarion Jackson	21 months	Monona Police Department Madison Police Department Fitchburg Police Department ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force
Ramogi Carr	54 months	Madison Police Department Fitchburg Police Department ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force
Jontrae M. Larsen	Case pending	ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force DCI Waunakee Police Department Deforest Police Department Monona Police Department
Donald R. Spivey, Jr.	Case pending	Madison Police Department ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force
Damon L. Clark	Case pending	Eau Claire Police Department FBI ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force

Attachment:

ATF Materials .pdf

ATF Video can be found here:

https://youtu.be/7VKocW4Qk4k

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Updated December 2, 2024