Trevaris Devar Kennedy, a 21-year-old resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence comes after Kennedy was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a machinegun. This announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case against Kennedy began on December 22, 2023, when an officer from the Statesville Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle with an expired registration tag. Kennedy was a passenger in this vehicle. As the officer activated his blue lights, the driver sped away but eventually stopped and tried to flee on foot. During this incident, two firearms were thrown from the passenger window into nearby woods. Officers later recovered these firearms: a Glock Model 19 and a stolen Glock Model 26, both modified with devices known as "Glock switches" that can convert them into fully automatic weapons. Additionally, officers found 55 rounds of ammunition.
Kennedy was arrested on January 5, 2024. A forensic analysis of his cell phone revealed videos and photos showing him holding various firearms equipped with Glock switches. The analysis also uncovered messages suggesting he was selling these devices on social media platforms. At the time of his arrest, Kennedy was on probation for previous criminal convictions and legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Kennedy remains in federal custody and will be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons once a facility is designated.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson credited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Statesville Police Department for their roles in investigating and securing Kennedy's conviction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kinlaw prosecuted the case out of Charlotte.