District Man Sentenced in Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun Inside a Charter High School

WASHINGTON - James Adrian Brewer, 20, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 16 months in prison in connection with his possession of a machine gun on the grounds of a Northwest charter school, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Brewer pleaded guilty on Feb. 12, 2026, before Judge Jia M. Cobb to one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun. In addition to the 16-month prison term, Judge Cobb ordered Brewer to serve two years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a sentence of 27 months in prison.

"Bringing a machine gun onto school grounds is an act that puts students, staff, and the entire community at risk," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Schools must be safe spaces where students can learn without fear. Today's sentence reflects our commitment to holding accountable those who endanger the public."

According to court documents, Brewer was attending the Goodwill Excel Center Adult Charter School in Northwest Washington on Sept. 3, 2025, when a school administrator observed Brewer with what appeared to be a firearm tucked into his waistband. When confronted, Brewer surrendered the pistol to the administrator, who then turned it over to Metropolitan Police Department officers.   

The firearm was later determined to be a Glock 19 9mm pistol that previously had been reported stolen. The Glock was loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition and outfitted with a switch-style machine gun conversion device (MCD) which allowed it to function as a fully automatic weapon.  

As part of his plea, Brewer admitted to possessing the handgun at the school. He further admitted to knowing that the MCD converted the pistol into a machine gun. When asked if he knew what an MCD did, Brewer stated that it made the firearm "fun" and shoot quickly.

This case was investigated by the MPD with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein and former Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson. 

The Glock 19 9mm pistol that previously had been reported stolen.

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