NEWARK, N.J. — A 22-year-old Essex County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple federal firearms offenses, including possession of a ghost gun and an illegally modified machine gun, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Kaiyir Green of Newark entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court. He admitted guilt to a four-count indictment that included two counts of possession of a firearm and/or ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, the charges stem from a March 1, 2023, incident in which Green fled from law enforcement responding to a stolen vehicle report. Officers apprehended Green after a foot chase and recovered a loaded privately manufactured firearm, commonly known as a ghost gun, from his possession.
Following his arrest, Green made several phone calls from a recorded detention center line directing someone to retrieve a “black bag” from his home. Surveillance confirmed an individual removed a black bag from the residence. A search of the bag later revealed a modified firearm equipped with a switch enabling fully automatic fire. The weapon was loaded with a single round of 9mm ammunition and connected to a large-capacity magazine. Authorities also recovered a 50-round drum magazine.
Green faces up to 15 years in prison for each count of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, and up to 10 years each for possession of a machine gun and an unregistered firearm. Fines for the offenses could total up to $760,000.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Jersey State Police, and the Elizabeth Police Department.
