Raytown Man Sentenced for Possessing Machine Guns

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Raytown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and transferring two machine gun conversion devices.

Darius R. Harris, also known as “D” and “D2,” 23, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips, to twenty-one months in federal prison without parole for illegally possessing and transferring machine guns. That sentence was ordered to be served consecutively, or in addition to a seven-year, state sentence that Harris is serving for assault in the first degree.

On Oct. 30, 2023, Harris sold a silver, Glock-type switch to an undercover agent for $350.  On Nov. 9, 2023, Harris sold a Glock 9mm handgun, Glock-type switch, extended magazine and twenty-three rounds of ammunition to an undercover agent for $960.

On Sept. 24, 2025, Harris’ brother, Demetrius Harris, also known as “Meech,” 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs, to two and a half years in federal prison without parole for illegally possessing and transferring machine guns.  On Jan. 24, 2024, Demetrius Harris sold an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, multi-caliber firearm containing an AR-type machine gun conversion device, two AR-type machine gun conversion devices and ammunition to an undercover agent for $1,060.

Machine gun conversion devices, also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” are used to convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns that fire multiple shots automatically through a single pull of the trigger, enabling more rapid and often less accurate gunfire. Whether or not they are attached to a firearm, these devices constitute machine guns under federal law. It is therefore illegal to possess, sell, or use machine gun conversion devices.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).