New Orleans Man Guilty of Possession of Over 100 Glock and AR-15 Machine Gun Conversion Devices, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Attempted Obstruction of Justice, and Receiving Explosives

Count 1-Possession with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D);

Count 2-Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1);

Count 3-Felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8);

Count 4-Possession of machine guns, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2);

Count 5-Possession of an unregistered firearms, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5861(d) and 5871;

Count 6-Felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8);

Count 7-Attempt to obstruct justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(b)(1); and

According to court documents, on December 12, 2022, law enforcement received a consent to search an apartment in the 1400 block of Milan Street. Inside, law enforcement located and seized the following items: (1) Glock model 17L, nine-millimeter caliber pistol, (2) Glock model 24, .40 caliber pistol, (3) Ruger model Security-6, .357 magnum caliber pistol, (4) Glock model 21, .45 caliber pistol, equipped with a device to convert this pistol to a fully automatic machinegun (more commonly referred to as a “Glock switch”); (5) Masterpiece Arms model Mac 11, nine-millimeter caliber pistol, (6) Privately Made Firearm (“PMF”) semi-automatic handgun, .40/.357 caliber (more commonly referred to as a “Ghost Gun”); (7) upper receiver with bolt carrier group of a rifle; (8) Several PMF parts; (9) Approximately one hundred (100) machinegun conversion devices in various stages of completion, to include drop-in auto sears to convert AR-Type firearms to fully automatic machineguns and “Glock switches;” (10) One clear plastic bag containing suspected marijuana with a total package weight of approximately 81.2 grams; (11) One clear plastic bag with the word “Politics” containing suspected marijuana with a total package weight of approximately 339.8 grams; (12) Multiple completed silencers; (13) Several silencers in various stages of completion; (14) One industrial milling machine covered in metal shavings; (15) Two explosive devices; (16) Quantities of various caliber ammunition; (17) Several extended magazines; (18) SEVERIN’s mail, clothing; and several cellphones.

On December 13, 2022, law enforcement encountered SEVERIN at the apartment.  After establishing verbal and visual contact with SEVERIN, law enforcement observed SEVERIN throw a black Smith and Wesson model 36, .38 special caliber, revolver from the apartment’s second floor balcony. SEVERIN eventually opened the door to the apartment and was taken into custody without further incident. Law enforcement booked SEVERIN on active NOPD warrants and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Law enforcement verified that SEVERIN had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Specifically, on February 25, 2019, SEVERIN pled guilty to the felony charge of possession of methamphetamine in case number 18-2993 in the 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson.

SEVERIN faces the following maximum penalties:

Count 1: Five (5) years imprisonment, followed by at least two (2) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Count 2: Minimum consecutive sentence of five (5) years up to life imprisonment, followed by up to five (5) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Count 3: Fifteen (15) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Count 4: Ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Count 5: Ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $10,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Count 6: Fifteen (15) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Count 7: Twenty (20) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee; and

Count 8: Ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee;

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans of the General Crimes Unit and Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit are responsible for the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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