New Orleans Man Sentenced for Selling Machine Gun Parts, Drugs on Social Media

NEW ORLEANS, La. (KPEL News) – A New Orleans man who used social media to sell drugs and illegal machinegun conversion devices has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges and will serve 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Lovon White, 22, admitted to possession with intent to distribute drugs, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a machine gun.

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Social Media Sales and Machinegun Conversions

According to court records, White was using social media to advertise and sell drugs, as well as devices that convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic machine guns. These illegal conversion devices, sometimes referred to as "switches," have been a growing concern for law enforcement, as they turn commonly owned firearms into highly dangerous automatic weapons.

In June 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at White’s residence and recovered:

• Two illegally modified firearms: an Anderson Manufacturing Model AM-15 pistol and a Glock Model 21, .45 caliber pistol, both equipped with machinegun conversion devices.
• Tapentadol and marijuana, which White intended to distribute.
• Drug trafficking supplies and hundreds of dollars in drug proceeds.

In July, he was indicted on three charges in the wake of that arrest.

Sentencing and Legal Consequences

Under the plea agreement, White will serve 10 years in federal prison and face at least three years of supervised release—which could extend up to life. He also faces a maximum fine of $250,000 for each charge and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per charge

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through law enforcement collaboration and community-based prevention efforts.

Cracking Down on Machinegun Conversions

The rise of machinegun conversion devices has made cases like White’s a top priority for federal law enforcement. These modifications turn ordinary handguns into illegal automatic weapons, making them a serious threat to public safety and law enforcement officers.

The FBI and federal prosecutors are aggressively pursuing individuals involved in the sale and distribution of these devices.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is leading the prosecution of this case.

The Growing Threat of Machinegun Conversion Devices

The rise of machinegun conversion devices has made cases like White’s a top priority for federal law enforcement. These modifications turn ordinary handguns into illegal automatic weapons, making them a serious threat to public safety and law enforcement officers.

One of the biggest threats law enforcement is now battling is the rise of these devices—small, easily made attachments that turn semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons. These devices, which are illegal under federal law, have been spreading rapidly across the country, and Louisiana and East Texas are no exception.

According to The Washington Post, federal officials are increasing efforts to track down these conversion devices, which have flooded the black market thanks to 3D printing and online sales.

Once primarily found in Texas and California, these devices are now being recovered nationwide at an alarming rate. Between 2018 and 2023, the ATF seized over 31,000 machinegun conversion devices, and from 2017 to 2021, they accounted for more than 55% of firearms recovered in ATF trafficking investigations.

The Department of Justice has launched a nationwide crackdown, targeting both manufacturers and distributors. Law enforcement officials warn that these devices are increasingly linked to violent crimes, including mass shootings and gang-related activity. In one recent case, a Detroit shooting left 21 people injured, with shell casings at the scene matching a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device.

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For Louisiana and East Texas, this growing problem is a direct threat to public safety. As these devices become cheaper and easier to produce, they are turning up in crime scenes across the region. Law enforcement is making it a priority to take them off the streets, but with their increasing accessibility, this battle is far from over.