GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) - A West Michigan teen and convicted felon is facing federal charges for possessing a loaded machine gun, authorities said.
Edward Slaughter II, 19, of Niles, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a machinegun, the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Michigan announced on Wednesday, Sept. 5.
Federal officials accuse Slaughter of having a loaded Glock handgun that was modified with a device to become fully automatic, meaning the firearm would continuously chamber and fire rounds when the trigger is pulled.
The modification created a weapon that falls under the federal definition of a "machine gun," the federal indictment explained.
In addition, Slaughter has a prior felony conviction that renders him ineligible to possess a firearm.
Slaughter faces a combined total of 25 years in prison if found guilty of both charges. If convicted, the charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a 15 year sentence while the possession of a machine gun charges carries a 10 year sentence.
