Pennsylvania Attorney General Announces Interception of Machine Gun Conversion Devices and Arrests of Two Philadelphia Men

Strategic Insights -

In a significant operation, a collaborative investigation between the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Philadelphia Police Department resulted in the interception of a shipment of machine gun conversion devices (MGCs) from China. The devices, disguised as toy boxes, were intended for a North Philadelphia address and contained 11 switches capable of turning firearms into fully automatic weapons. As a result, two men, Michael Rodriguez and Khalil Jenkins, were arrested and charged with various crimes, including possession of offensive weapons and felony drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The investigation involved a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Office of the Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force, and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation.
  • The intercepted shipment contained 11 machine gun conversion devices, which were disguised as toy boxes.
  • The devices were intended for a North Philadelphia address and were capable of turning firearms into fully automatic weapons.
  • Michael Rodriguez and Khalil Jenkins, both 19, were arrested and charged with possession of offensive weapons and felony drug trafficking.
  • A search at the residence of Rodriguez and Jenkins yielded additional evidence, including handguns equipped with machine gun conversion devices, fully automatic rifles, and additional marijuana.
  • The cases will be prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Gun Violence Task Force.

Statistics:

  • 11 machine gun conversion devices were intercepted in the shipment.
  • $750,000 bail was set for Michael Rodriguez.
  • $500,000 bail was set for Khalil Jenkins.
  • 15 rounds of ammunition were found on a handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device.
  • 16 rounds of ammunition were found on a fully automatic rifle.

Sources:

  • [The office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General]