Imperial Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machinegun

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Imperial, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating a federal firearms law, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Ja’Shon Spencer, 22, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about June 16, 2025, Spencer possessed a Glock semiautomatic pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device (MCD) or “Glock switch.” A MCD is a device that converts a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. Under federal law, both the MCD itself as well as the firearm equipped with it are considered machineguns and are illegal.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for June 17, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Spencer will remain in federal custody.

Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Spencer.

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.