Benton Harbor man the last of 17 defendants convicted in machine gun conversion investigation
Posted: Feb 16, 2024 2:07 PM EST
A 22-year-old Benton Harbor man is the last of 17 people convicted in a federal investigation into drugs and machine gun conversion devices, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A jury convicted Earl Austin IV of two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, five counts of distribution of methamphetamine, three counts of possession and transfer of a machine gun, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In December 2022, Austin and 10 others were charged with a number of crimes, including selling “switches” that turn semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns, according to officials. Six others were charged later on.
All have now been convicted, and 13 of them have been sentenced.
A date has not yet been announced for Austin’s sentencing.
