A seemingly routine parcel shipped from China has landed a 19-year-old Pensacola resident in federal court, exposing a stash of illegal weaponry and narcotics. Tre’Veonce Ezekiel Sanders pleaded guilty this week to federal charges including possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and intent to distribute marijuana.
The investigation began in August 2025 when agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) flagged a suspicious package destined for Sanders’ residence. Authorities identified the contents as a machine gun conversion device—often referred to as a “switch”—which modifies a standard semi-automatic handgun to fire fully automatic.
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Following the discovery, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sanders’ home. Inside, agents recovered a Glock handgun already modified to function as a machine gun, along with several additional conversion devices. The search also yielded a stockpile of ammunition, a quantity of marijuana, and over $6,000 in cash.
United States Attorney John P. Heekin, whose office announced the plea, highlighted the collaborative effort to stop the flow of illegal firearm modifications.
“I applaud and deeply appreciate the vigilance of our federal law enforcement partners who intercepted this dangerous device in the mail and investigated its intended recipient,” Heekin said. “President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi promised to Take Back America from the offenders intent on committing criminal violence within our communities, and my office will continue to deliver on that promise with successful prosecutions like this.”
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The case was investigated jointly by HSI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
Sanders now faces significant prison time: up to ten years for each of the firearm charges and an additional five years for the narcotics offense. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 10, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
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