Richmond man sentenced for possessing pistol with machinegun device bought on ‘the darknet’

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond man with previous firearm convictions has been sentenced to two years in prison for possession of a Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device, which he reportedly admitted to buying on “the darknet.”

On Tuesday, May 21, 23-year-old Jarec Dominique Brown was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of possession of a machinegun, according to the Eastern District of Virginia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The weapon was reportedly found on Brown during a traffic stop in Hanover County on Sept. 9, 2022, according to court documents.

Brown had a backpack with him that was searched by police, who found a Glock 9mm Luger caliber pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device inside, along with three magazines and 66 rounds of ammunition.

According to court documents, Brown “admitted to purchasing the [machinegun conversion device] on the darknet,” according to the office. This device reportedly “[renders] the firearm capable of fully automatic fire.”

Brown said he understood that the device allowed the handgun to fire automatically with a single press of the trigger.

Brown has three previous convictions of possessing a concealed weapon.

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