Baltimore Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Illegal Firearm Possession

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Ethan King, a 20-year-old Baltimore resident, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. King pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, a charge stemming from an incident in early 2024. The investigation and prosecution involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

The conviction arises from King’s possession of a Glock 19 handgun, an extended magazine loaded with 31 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a machinegun conversion device. Law enforcement officials observed King, who has a prior felony conviction, entering a Baltimore convenience store on February 7, 2024. During this observation, King was seen acquiring the firearm, which was later recovered from his residence on March 15, 2024. The recovered firearm was equipped with the extended magazine and the conversion device, which is designed to transform a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department of Justice has emphasized strengthening PSN by fostering trust, supporting community violence prevention organizations, establishing focused enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland

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