Imperial Resident Indicted for Illegally Possessing Firearm Equipped with Machinegun Conversion Device

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Imperial, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Ja'Shon Spencer, 21, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, Spencer is alleged to have possessed a Glock semiautomatic pistol that was equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device (MCD) on June 16, 2025. A MCD is one that converts a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm.

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 would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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 leading to the Indictment.

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.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.